*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Adult Description: Medium-sized, robust salamander (maximum 5”) with broad head and short tail compared to most salamanders. Black on top with saddle-shaped crossbands that are white in males and light to dull gray in females that extend to tail tip. Top of head with same white to gray markings dependent on sex, usually with a central black patch beginning at or just past eyes. Usually 11–12 costal grooves, but sometimes 13. Belly is black.
Similar Species:
Louisiana Range: Throughout Central and Northern Louisiana and Florida Parishes.
Adult Habitat: Moist forested habitats, from deciduous bottomlands and swamps to mixed pine-hardwood forests or upland forests, provided there is suitable breeding wetlands nearby.
Natural History: Marbled Salamanders are active at night and spend most of their lives underground. They prey upon a wide variety of invertebrates. Despite having poison glands in their skin, raccoons, skunks, shrews, weasels, owls, and snakes are known predators of juveniles and adults. In early Fall Marbled Salamanders begin to migrate to breeding areas before rainfall fills them. Females deposit clutches up to 200 eggs in damp depressions they often excavate under woody debris, vegetation, or leaf litter that will be inundated by winter rains. They are unique among the genus Ambystoma in exhibiting maternal care by guarding the nest and keeping the eggs moist, though unguarded nests are often found. Eggs are ready to hatch in 9–15 days but hatching occurs whenever nest is flooded. Larvae may metamorphose in as little as 2 months, but often take longer. Males likely mature and breed in about 15 months in the fall following the year of metamorphosis. Females likely take an extra year. Maximum wild longevity appears to be 8–10 years.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Marbled Salamanders are most easily found under logs in or near the dry ephemeral wetlands where they breed in October or November before the rains fill them. Marbled Salamanders can often still be found under cover in the surrounding habitats through the cooler months following reproduction as well.
Global Conservation Status: Marbled Salamanders have a relatively wide distribution in the eastern United States and a presumed large population, and thus, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G5 (Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Marbled Salamanders do not have any special status in Louisiana.
Author's Remarks: I have observed this species in Louisiana from Kisatchie National Forest in Natchitoches, Vernon, Rapides, Grant, and Claiborne Parishes, the Atchafalaya Basin north of I10, Pearl River WMA in St. Tammany Parish, Sicily Island Hills WMA in Catahoula Parish, Chicot State Park in Evangeline Parish, Waddill WMA in East Baton Rouge Parish, Wallace Lake Biological Station in DeSoto Parish, on private land in East Feliciana Parish, and at Walter B. Jacobs Park in Caddo Parish.
