Family: Ambystomidae, Mole Salamanders view all from this family

Description 3-5" (7.6-12.9 cm). Slender, like Jefferson Salamander, but smaller, shorter-legged, narrower-snouted, and darker. Grayish-black to bluish-black above, with large bluish-white flecks, especially on lower sides. Belly lighter, with flecking; area around vent black. Costal grooves, 12.

Breeding March to April, in ponds. Eggs laid singly or in small masses of 6-10 eggs on debris on pond bottom.

Habitat Deciduous forests.

Range Atlantic coast, Quebec to New Jersey and throughout the Great Lakes region.

Discussion In the past, Blue-spotted and Jefferson salamanders interbred and created 2 hybrid all-female species - Tremblay's (A. tremblayi) and the Silvery (A. platineum). Blue-spotted males breed with Tremblay's females. The male's sperm only stimulates egg development; its genetic material is not contributed.