About Ambystoma texanum (Matthes, 1855)
Scientific Name and Adult Length
The small-mouth salamander, scientifically named Ambystoma texanum (Matthes, 1855), reaches an adult length between 4.5 and 7.0 inches.
Dorsal Coloration
Its base color is usually black or dark brown, marked with light grey or silvery flecking, or grey blotching.
Head and Tail Morphology
It has a noticeably small head compared to its body, paired with a long tail.
Sexual Size Dimorphism
On average, males are smaller than females.
Ventral Coloration and Costal Grooves
This species has black bellies that often bear tiny flecks, and has between 14 and 15 costal grooves.
Habitat
Small-mouth salamanders inhabit moist pine woodlands, deciduous forest bottomlands, tallgrass prairies, farming areas, areas near temporary ponds, and areas along streams.
Native Range
Their native range extends from western West Virginia south to the Gulf of Mexico, and west to Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
