The Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale) is one of Ohio’s rarest amphibians. It is listed as an endangered species by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. This species is known from Henry, Lucas and Williams counties in Ohio. Blue-spotted Salamanders prefer swamp forests, grassy meadows, and prairies with sandy soils. Notably, ephemeral vernal pools form in these areas in the early spring.
Habitat assessments for Blue-spotted Salamanders can be performed throughout the year and require walking throughout the project footprint. During these assessments, one should identify suitable habitat features. Construction monitoring for Blue-Spotted Salamanders can occur throughout the active season from March through October. Blue-spotted Salamanders are highly fossorial and spend most of their life underground. For this reason, visual encounter surveys should be conducted in March and April. This is when this species is most active and utilizing ephemeral breeding habitats.
EDGE’s professional herpetologist, Mr. Aaron Crank, is authorized to conduct Blue-spotted Salamander surveys and habitat assessments within Ohio. Moreover, he has extensive experience surveying this species throughout its range. If evaluating and managing potential disturbances to Blue-spotted Salamanders is critical to the success of your project, please reach out to Aaron for #further insight.
