Family: Ambystomatidae
(Mole Salamanders)

  The family Ambystomatidae is distinguished from other Idaho families of salamanders by the presence of transverse vomerine teethClick word for definition.  More obvious characteristics are the presence of costal grooves (vertical creases along the body), and the absence of nasolabial groovesClick word for definition (grooves running from the nostril to the lip). There are two representatives of the family Ambystomatidae here in Idaho: the Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) and the Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum).
Long-toed Salamander
Ambystoma macrodactylum
Long-toed Salamander

Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma tigrinum
Tiger Salamander

Written by John Cossel Jr., 1997
Photos by Charles R. Peterson