Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)

Uncommon in the NC mountains but fairly common elsewhere in the state, Marbled Salamanders breed in the fall and females guard their nests of eggs until winter rains create ephemeral pools in which the eggs can hatch.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
18 Nov 2007

Female guarding eggs.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
18 Nov 2007

Female guarding eggs.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
18 Nov 2007

Female guarding eggs.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
18 Nov 2007

Female guarding eggs.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander eggs(Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
18 Nov 2007

Close-up of a couple of eggs. Marbled Salamanders breed in the fall.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
15 Mar 2008

Eggs hatch after winter rains flood pools in the forest, and larvae live underwater, breathing through gills.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
15 Mar 2008

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Orange Co., NC
9 Mar 2008

Light crossbands are much duller in females and in the nonbreeding season.

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Orange Co., NC
9 Mar 2008
Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
16 Mar 2008

Some individuals, however, are still very bright in the non-breeding season!

Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Durham Co., NC
16 Mar 2008
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Created on ... Nov 18, 2007 | Updated on ... Mar 10, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu