AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CLUB OF NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota is not known for its diversity of salamanders. In fact, only two species live in this northern state: the Western Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma mavortium, and the Common Mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus.
Tiger Salamander
Tiger Salamander. Image Credit: Amphibian Growth Project
Size
This salamander is between 6-8.5 inches long, and I've seen even larger captive individuals, almost up to a foot long.
Range
The Western Tiger Salamander ranges from southern Canada all the way down to the Gulf Coast.
Subspecies
There are five recognized subspecies. The subspecies that occur in North Dakota are the Gray Tiger Salamander on approximately the east side of the Missouri River and the Blotched Tiger Salamander approximately to the west of the Missouri River.
Habitat
Tiger Salamanders inhabit open fields and bushy areas, grasslands, deserts, forests, and rarely streams.
Note
Ambystoma mavortium was until 1996 considered a subspecies of A. tigrinum.*
Further Reading
Check out this quick fact sheet from my undergraduate lab!
Common Mudpuppy
Common Mudpuppy. Image Credit: Amphibians and Reptiles of SD
Size
This salamander is between 8-13 inches long, and I've never seen one in North Dakota.
Range
In North Dakota, they range only along the Red River on the border with Minnesota.
Habitat
Permanent bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and streams.
Appearance
These salamanders never lose their gills and cannot breathe air.
Information taken from:
- Peterson's Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Fourth Edition (2016)
- Crother et al.'s SCIENTIFIC AND STANDARD ENGLISH NAMES OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF NORTH AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO, WITH COMMENTS REGARDING CONFIDENCE IN OUR UNDERSTANDING, Seventh Edition (2012)
- ND Game and Fish's Reptiles and Amphibians of North Dakota (2015)