Although the temperature plummeted and rain ran off our jackets, our excitement and determination could not be dampened. Rubber boots tromped over soggy leaf litter, and hands grasped at every fallen log, flipping them over as we searched the forest. The Wild Wonders campers and I were on a mission, seeking out an animal who thrives in rainy conditions–the salamander.
Enthusiasm began to dwindle as each log we flipped yielded no amphibian friends. I began to wonder if we would be successful in our pursuit. Then, mid-flip of a log, a camper let out a yip of surprise. “Salamander!" In an instant, the other kids abandoned their own logs and dashed through the damp ferns to jockey for a closer look.
My excitement parallelled the campers. We had found a blue-spotted salamander! The little four-legged being waved their tail back and forth at us. To the campers, it seemed like the salamander was waiving hello. In reality, we were being told to back off. When feeling threatened, blue-spotted salamanders will stand their tail up and wind it back and forth in an S shape in an attempt to make themselves seem bigger and more threatening. It didn’t work to scare us off, but not wanting to cause more stress for our friend, we said goodbye and gently rolled the log back over their hiding spot.
I had hoped that we'd find some kind of salamander on our rainy excursion, but seeing this particular species was a big surprise. Growing up in Iowa, I only knew of the blue-spotted salamander as being a rare, state endangered species only found in two counties. A little research soon told me that in Wisconsin they are common across most of the state. This got me thinking, why are blue-spotted salamanders endangered in Iowa, but not in Wisconsin?
Blue-spotted salamanders are forest dwellers. They are relatively secretive, taking cover under logs, leaf litter, and other forest debris to keep from being seen. Here in Wisconsin, they inhabit both hardwood and coniferous forests across the state. With roughly 46% of Wisconsin being covered in forest land, they have a wide range of potential habitat available. Comparatively, only 8% of Iowa is covered in forest habitat.
Blue-spotted salamanders also need vernal ponds for laying eggs and for their larvae to develop over several weeks. These ponds form in the spring, and are typically dried up by summer. Because the ponds dry up, they cannot support fish, and have fewer predators for salamander larvae.
Blue-spotted salamanders also like damp, sandy soil that’s easy for them to burrow into for the winter. Taking a look at forest cover and soil maps, I discovered that the two Iowa counties where blue-spotted salamanders are found have both sandy soil and a little bit of forest cover. Mystery solved!
On the other hand, there are two other Iowa counties that have the sandy soil and forest cover overlap but have no recorded populations of blue-spotted salamanders. Salamanders are sensitive to disturbances within their habitat. Habitat fragmentation can limit their access to breeding areas, cause fatalities when migrating to breeding ponds, and limit reproductive success. The siltation of vernal pools would also be detrimental to salamander populations. At a glance, the habitat may appear right, but without a closer look it is hard to be certain.
The longer I live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, the more I find to appreciate about the diverse nature of this place. While there is some overlap in the flora and fauna of my home state and northern Wisconsin, I’m grateful for the opportunity to discover the differences between the two states, and encounter new plants and animals!
For more than 50 years, the Cable Natural History Museum has served to connect you to the Northwoods. Our Fall Calendar is open for registration! Visit our new exhibit, “Becoming the Northwoods: Akiing (A Special Place). Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and cablemuseum.org to see what we are up to.
Last Update: Aug 27, 2025 8:05 am CDT
