Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)

Jefferson Salamanders are a fascinating native amphibian species. They can live up to 30 years, spending most of their time under logs and leaf litter feeding on worms, slugs, and other invertebrates. This species only comes out of hiding in early spring, once the ice on their breeding pools starts to thaw. Jefferson Salamanders breed in vernal pools, which are areas of standing water that are only present for part of the year. In Ontario, vernal pools fill with water during spring thaw and dry out during the summer. The ephemeral nature of vernal pools keeps them free of fish and other salamander predators, making them safe breeding habitat. Adults emerge from the surrounding forest in droves, travelling across roads, trails, and farm fields to reach these rare pools. Once they arrive, the begin mating and laying eggs. A single female can lay up to 300 egg. After breeding, the adults leave the pools and return to their terrestrial lives. After a period of three to four weeks, the eggs hatch into fully aquatic larvae that look like small tadpoles with feathery gills. They spend the next few months feeding on zooplankton and small aquatic invertebrates. As the summer begins and vernal pools start to dry up, the larvae develop legs and lose their gills, eventually leaving the pools as adult salamanders.

Like most amphibians, Jefferson Salamanders are very sensitive to habitat loss and pollution. Agricultural and urban development has destroyed the majority if their historical habitat in Ontario, restriction them to the few remaining parcels of healthy deciduous forest habitat with vernal pools. Even these areas of habitat may be fragmented on roads, which not only put salamanders at risk of collision with vehicles but also expose them to higher risks of predation and drying out. Conservation efforts to preserve Jefferson Salamander habitat have allowed small populations to continue to survive, but this species faces an uncertain future.