Mexican Tiger Salamander

The plateau tiger salamander exhibits facultative paedomorphosis. The adult coloration is olive green across the backs with dark spots, and white or cream across the underside of the abdomen. This species has external gills similar to those on other aquatic salamander species. However, this salamander can undergo metamorphosis again in adulthood, via a complex genetic mechanism in response to its environment. During this change, the salamander shrinks, loses its external gills and the legs elongate.

The plateau tiger salamander is typically considered endemic to Mexico, although its range might extend to the United States. They have a wide geographic distribution, ranging from Chihuahua in the north, to Durango in the south, and to Jalisco in the west. Its natural habitat is grassland, including sparse forest and semiarid grassland. Breeding takes place in a range of aquatic habitats: deep volcanic lakes, shallow vernal pools, artificial cattle ponds, and intermittent, fish-free stream pools. In the highlands of central Mexico, the plateau tiger salamander inhabits ponds and small streams in tropical deciduous forests or in pine oak forests.