Alberta Herps
Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum krausei)

• southern half of the province; from Montana border to Jasper National Park; at elevations of approximately 1,000-2,800 m, northern populations may occur at lower elevation; absent or scarce in wooded areas; scattered in northern portion of its range.

Brief Description

• relatively slender bodied; snout blunt; limbs slender, elongate, and unwebbed; males with longer limbs and tails than females; much variation in color pattern.

Habitat

• usually moist - near water; fossorial; overwinters underground as adult form and in water as larval or neotenic form.

Feeding

• predaceous both as adult and larva; mainly feeding on invertebrates, also tadpoles and small fish.

Reproduction

• mating in early spring in temporary water bodies; pectoral amplexus; fertilization via spermatophore.

Status in Alberta

• YELLOW B LIST

• isolated populations in mountain riparian areas; vulnerable to potential alteration and destruction of critical habitats

Other Internet Resources:

• long-toed salamander: Amphibians of Alberta Page, Alberta Environmental Protection

• long-toed salamander: Waterton Park Information Services, Waterton Lake National Park, Alberta, Canada

• The perilous journey of the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander

References

• Anonymous. 1996. The status of Alberta wildlife. Wildlife Management Division Report. Alberta Environmental Protection, Govertment of Alberta.

• Russell, A. P., and A. M. Bauer. in press. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Alberta: A Field Guide and Primer of Boreal Herpetology. University of Calgary Press. 2nd Edition.