Marbled salamander

Description:

This is the larva of the marbled salamander. Marbled salamanders breed in vernal pools, which are temporary, fish-free wetlands which usually dry out during the summer. The eggs are laid in the winter, when the ponds are dry and then hatch out in the spring once the ponds fill with water. This hatchling larva was found on the north side of Huntley Meadows Park and hatched out weeks behind those on the southern side of the park since the pond where these ones live is colder and began to fill up later.