*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: Large, robust salamander (maximum 7.0”) with a small head and mouth. Dark gray, nearly black, or brown on top with lichen-like, irregular tan, blue-gray, or gray flecks over most of their upper body, but often most dense on sides. Usually 14–15 costal grooves, but sometimes 13. Belly is also dark gray, nearly black, or brown, often with scattered lighter small flecks.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Northeastern Ohio west into Missouri and eastern Nebraska, and south to Central Gulf from east Texas to Alabama.
Louisiana Range: Statewide, but uncommon in coastal parishes, especially those west and south of Lake Pontchartrain.
Adult Habitat: Forested habitats, usually bottomland hardwoods where water table is high and often with a palmetto understory but can also be found in isolated upland swamps and large gum ponds.
Natural History: Small-mouthed Salamanders are active at night and spend most of their lives underground. They prey upon a wide variety of invertebrates. Poison glands on the tail may help deter noted watersnake and gartersnake predators. From late fall to mid-winter Small-mouthed Salamanders migrate overland on relatively warm rainy nights to ephemeral wetlands to breed. This migration is often a short distance as their non-breeding habitat is often closer to their breeding habitat than other Ambystoma. Females deposit up to 800 total eggs, sometimes laid singly or in groups of 2–3, in water usually by attaching them to small twigs and branches or attached to vegetation. Arkansas populations have been noted to lay dozens of soft jelly egg masses, each with up to 30 eggs. Eggs typically hatch within 2 months and larvae may metamorphose in 2–3 months. Maturity may occur in the fall following the year of metamorphosis. Maximum wild longevity is unknown. A captive lived nearly 14 years.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Small-mouthed Salamanders can be found under logs or other cover, especially during their breeding season and near their breeding wetlands. However, often under these logs there are water-filled crawfish burrows or other burrows that they may quickly retreat into when uncovered.
Global Conservation Status: Small-mouthed Salamanders have a relatively wide distribution in the southern and central United States and into Canada, a presumed large population, and tolerate a broad range of habitats, 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: Small-mouthed Salamanders have a ranking of S3 (rare and local throughout the state – 21-100 known extant populations) in Louisiana.
*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take a picture if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***
Author's Remarks: In Louisiana, I have observed several adults of this species from Palmetto Island State Park in Vermilion Parish, and larvae only from Cypress Island Preserve in St. Martin Parish.
