Secretive and expert at hiding, spotted salamanders live in forests throughout much of the eastern United States and Canada. Though these bluish-black salamanders are large—about seven inches (18 centimeters) long—and distinctly marked with bright yellow or orange spots, they're still not easy to find. They're active only at night. During the day they stay quietly hidden under rocks, leaf debris, and logs. They also use other animals' burrows as their daytime hideouts. Spotted salamanders' favorite habitat is forests near rivers and streams. Salamanders are amphibians, like frogs and toads. Their lives are closely tied to water. The rains of springtime signal the time for spotted salamanders to migrate to their breeding ponds for egg-laying. Adults return to the same pool for breeding year after year, for their whole lives.
