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It would be hard to measure whether the Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) is the slowest of Iowa’s migratory species but it’s almost certainly in the top 10. This amphibian spends most of its life underground in burrows and is rarely seen until, in the fall, they can suddenly seem to be everywhere, moving slowly across the landscape. What are they doing? Well, it’s not entirely clear but consensus is that they are converging on wetlands where they will overwinter and then, in the spring, mate and lay egg masses before dispersing again into the landscape and going underground.
 Iowa has only five species of salamander and the tiger salamander is the most widespread and common. It’s also the largest land-dwelling salamander averaging at about 6-8” long with a big head and long flattened tail. Like most of its kind it has a moist, porous skin which is susceptible to drying out so when it is not underground, it usually only moves about at night. They do occasionally blunder their way into window wells and cool basements.
Tiger salamanders are inactive during the winter months but they usually become active for breeding quite early in the Spring (March). Their migratory behavior is most prevalent in Northern Iowa usually during October when large numbers can sometimes be seen purposely, if slowly, crossing roads at night, especially if it’s rainy. Breeding wetlands that are preferred are ponds or marshes with no fish.
What can you do to help protect Tiger Salamanders?
The tiger salamander is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Collecting population data on this critter is very difficult but consistent anecdotal reports suggest that the large migrations that were seen in the past are now more sparse or completely absent. The tiger salamander’s migration may not be epic in scale but it is an equally important part of this species life history as the trip to South America is for many birds. Hopefully, seeing tiger salamander on the move in fall will not become a thing of the past. Preserving wetlands of all kinds is the key to keeping this species around!
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