Describe It
Posted by spencer king on March 28, 2005
Q: i live in northeast PA, i found a dark purple salamader with yellow spots on its back and head, it is about 4" long inculding its tail. me and my girlfreind say it in the middle of the road durring a rain storm, so we kept it and put it in a tank. we were wondering what it was called and what it eats.
A: Thanks for your good description - I could ID your animal very easily!
You found a Spotted Salamander, a really beautiful animal. These salamanders live in deciduous forests in much of eastern North America and are active at night feeding on worms and other small invertebrates. Because they hide during the day and are active at night, then don't make a very good pet. The animal you found was undoubtedly on its way to a small vernal (spring) pond to reproduce. May I suggest that you take a few good photos of your animal and then release it where you found it so it can complete its life cycle.
John Wiessinger ( March 29, 2005)