Named for the bright blue flecks that decorate its dark, almost black body, this salamander looks like a night sky sprinkled with stars. Its slender shape, smooth skin, and long tail give it an elegant, almost delicate appearance, though it’s surprisingly tough for such a small creature. Found mainly in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, the blue-spotted salamander thrives in damp environments — especially near ponds, vernal pools, and moist woodlands where it can stay cool and hidden during the day.

These creatures spend most of their time underground or beneath logs and leaf litter, venturing out mainly on rainy nights in spring to breed. During this short but magical time, hundreds of salamanders migrate to temporary ponds known as vernal pools, where males and females perform an underwater courtship dance. The female then lays clusters of jelly-like eggs, attaching them to submerged sticks or plants. After hatching, the larvae live in water for a few months, breathing through feathery gills, before transforming into land-dwelling adults. Once metamorphosis is complete, they move into the forest, where they live quiet lives feeding on insects, worms, and other tiny invertebrates.

What truly makes the blue-spotted salamander unique is its unusual genetics. Scientists have discovered that some populations reproduce through a rare process called kleptogenesis, in which females “borrow” genetic material from males of closely related salamander species, like the Jefferson salamander, without actually incorporating it into their own DNA. This means that some blue-spotted salamanders are part of a complex hybrid group with mixed ancestry — a natural wonder that blurs the lines of traditional reproduction. This fascinating trick of evolution allows them to survive in varying environments and maintain genetic diversity in surprising ways.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Canada

2020

United States

2020