The classification of the four salamanders native to P.E.I. (Cook 1967) is as follows: Class: Amphibia . Order: Caudata Family: Ambystomatidae Ambystoma laterale Hallowell - Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum (Shaw) - Spotted Salamander Family: Salamandridae ‘ Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens (Rafinesque) - Red—spotted Newt Family: Plethodontidae Plethodon cinerus cinerus (Green) - Red—backed Salamander

l. Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)

This slender bluish-black salamander has sides and legs flecked with pale blue. It may grow up to a length of 14 cm but tail breakage is fairly common so shorter individuals with tails in various stages of regeneration may be found. For most of the year the blue— spotted salamander burrows underground in moist woodland, often near streams. In early spring it migrates to ponds to carry out a complex courtship, mate and lay eggs. This occurs in late April, at which time the adults are conspicuous in ponds. Eggs are laid singly or in small gelatinous clusters of up to six. These are attached to the undersides of leaves or other bottom debris. By mid May adults have largely dis— ' appeared from ponds and eggs have become abundant. Larval forms are numerous in small quarry ponds and ditches from mid June on and newly transformed adults may appear during the first part of July. It is thought this species is relatively common on P.E.I.

2. Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

Individuals of this species are ~' black with grey undersides. Large round yellow or orange- yellow spots are found on the upper regions of the body. Spotted salamanders may grow up to about 17 cm in length and don't normally lose their tails. For most of the year they live underground in animal tunnels in moist woodland or beneath woodpiles, etc. In spring they emerge from hibernation to migrate to the breeding ponds in the latter part Of April, slightly later than the Blue-spotted Salamanders. By the second week of May few adult Spotted Salaman- ders are seen but eggs can be found in ponds and ditches. These are laid in large masses, usually visible to view on the pond bottom attached to grass or other plant stems. Larvae are abundant in quarry ponds and ditches by mid June and transformed individuals are present by early July. spotted Salamanders are common throughout the Island.'

The above two species are both large sturdy salamanders; the following two are . tiny and slender.

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