A member of the Mole Salamander family, Tiger Salamander is found throughout North America. He has the largest range of any North American Salamander, from Alaska (U.S.) to Mexico to Labrador (Canada). Also, the world largest land dwelling (7-10 in (18-25 cm)) Salamander, Tiger Salamander prefers life underground. He either digs his own burrow or lives in the burrows of American Badger or Ground Squirrel.
Like Tiger, his namesake, Tiger Salamander is also a voracious eater. He will eat anything that fits into his mouth including Fish and small Mice. Because He is very territorial, Tiger Salamander will also eat other Salamanders in his range. As a Larva, Tiger Salamander sometimes will exhibit his cannibalistic form, which has a bigger head with more teeth. Usually Cannibal Tiger Salamander Larva is found in ponds with huge Salamander populations. Like his Mammal namesake, Tiger Salamander is a feared predator.
The only time, people see this stocky Salamander is when He crosses their roads to get to his breeding pond. Usually after a heavy rain in the spring, Tiger Salamander migrates to his pond during the night. He and his Friends head out across the roadways and fields to their nearest pond. If his pond has been drained, Tiger Salamander will improvise with a man-made water hole.
Tiger Salamander teaches about getting respect. People respect Him since He feeds on Insects harmful to them. Looking like a Tiger with his black and yellow stripes, Tiger Salamander prowls his range looking for prey. When He disappears from their neighborhoods, people become concerned. Although Tiger Salamander has an unsavory reputation as a cannibal, people still excavate ponds to encourage his survival in their neighborhoods.
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Va. Carper
May 1, 2008