Fall breeding salamanders are one of my favorite groups, especially the ambystomatids or Mole Salamanders.

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The fall breeders take an exceptional risk by using ephemeral wetlands that can easily freeze or dessicate over the winter so their larvae can develop in these temporary pools at times when they are not occupied by other competitive species. When the other species show up to breed in the spring, the larvae of these fall breeders are large enough to consume them as they hatch - an added bonus for the risk they are taking. Some species, such as the Marbled Salamander and Flatwoods Salamander are depositing their eggs during this time of year in dry basins, that will (hopefully) be inundated with water during autumn rains. Pictured here is a Mole Salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum which is only predicted to occur in metro Atlanta. Hopefully, we will be able to confirm their presence through our monthly amphibian surveys and monitoring program. For more information on the program, please visit maamp.us #Ambystomatalpoideum #Ambystomatids #Ambystomatidae #EphemeralWetland #MAAMP

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