Giant salamanders take a rare hike

The spotted salamander¹, also known as the yellow-spotted salamander, is a species of mole salamander. These salamanders are native to the eastern United States and Canada. It is even the state amphibian of Ohio and South Carolina. They are decorated with yellow polka dots and can grow up to 10 inches long, the average being six to eight inches. 

However magical these salamanders may sound, most people have never seen one. Even regular hikers and naturalists do not usually see these salamanders. Actually, they spend most of their lives underground. So, according to National Geographic (article linked below), Cori Zawacki, an amphibian biologist at the University of Pittsburgh, says, “[w]hen you see them for the first time, or the first time in a while, it’s kind of breathtaking.”

One or two nights each spring, the spotted salamanders come out in big numbers. They walk around to find vernal pools of their youth. They then breed with other salamanders and then disappear into the ground again.

According to National Geographic (article linked below), Brady Porter, a biologist at Duquesne University, says there is no way to know for sure when the Salamanders will begin marching. “Somewhere around mid-March or sometimes early April, the first warm fronts bring lots of rain, and the temperature needs to be up in the 50s during the day, but not dropping below 45 degrees Fahrenheit at night.” After that, Porter looks for a soggy day with at least an inch of rain.  If you can, be sure not to miss this magical sight!

¹ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/spotted-salamander-migration-big-night

This article was adapted from National Geographic’s Giant salamanders are about to take a once-in-a-year midnight trek by Jason Bittel.

Bittel, Jason. “Giant salamanders are about to take a once-in-a-year midnight trek.” National Geographic, 25 Mar. 2026, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/spotted-salamander-migration-big-night.