Diet for a Yellow Spotted Salamander

The yellow spotted salamander is a fairly common woodland salamander throughout eastern North America. These salamanders are relatively large--about 6 to 8 inches long--and have dark gray or black bodies with yellow to orange spots along their top sides. Yellow spotted salamanders are primarily insect-eaters and can make good pets for experienced owners.

  1. Range

    • According to the University of Guelph, the yellow spotted salamander's range runs as far north as central and southern Ontario, Nova Scotia and mainland New Brunswick, and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. These salamanders live throughout the Great Lakes region and Appalachians but are not found in Florida and the extreme southeastern United States.

    Behavior

    • Yellow spotted salamanders spend the majority of their time hiding under objects, such as stones or logs or inside the burrows of other animals. Their normal range is only a few square yards, though they may migrate significant distances to reach breeding ponds. They tend to come out to hunt only in darkness and are generally slow, though capable of short bursts of speed to catch their prey.

    Types

    • The diet for a yellow spotted salamander varies by age and location. Juvenile salamanders are aquatic and will eat any small live animal that they can swallow. In nature, they prefer mollusks, worms and small water-dwelling insects. Captive juveniles also eat brine shrimp. Adult yellow spotted salamanders prefer burrowing insects like grubs and worms, but also eat crickets, spiders, mollusks and other small creatures.

    Considerations

    • This species of salamander can be encouraged to eat commonly available feeder insects, such as mealworms and crickets. However, burrowing creatures are preferable. Salamander owners may wish to provide a diet as close to the wild form as possible to encourage a healthy appetite and natural behavior.

    Warning

    • Yellow spotted salamanders may be kept together in captivity, but should not be kept with other species. Amphibians tend to eat other animals inside their enclosures, especially if those animals are smaller. Some species are even poisonous, and can kill the animal that eats them. Unless the combination of species is known to be safe, avoid housing yellow spotted salamanders with other creatures.