General Description: These large, land-dwelling salamanders have stout bodies, a broad head, and small eyes. The color and pattern are variable, ranging from a dark background with light spots, bars, or blotches; or a light background with dark marks.

Taxonomy: Order Caudata (tailed amphibians); Family Ambystomatidae (mole salamanders). Formerly Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum).

Diet: Worms, invertebrates, frogs, small rodents.

Habitat: Damp places with or near water.

Range: This species occurs throughout the U.S. and parts of southern Canada from about the east edge of Nevada eastward with only a few spots of occurrence in Nevada, a disjunct population around San Francisco, and another disjunct population in north-central Washington. Around Las Vegas, look for this species in Zion.

Breeding: After summer rains in our area.

Similar Species: None around Las Vegas.

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