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Four-Toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) Distribution and Status: Because of their small size, secretive nature and specialized habitat, only scattered locations of four-toeds have been documented in Maine. They are listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. However, given that their preferred habitat is fairly common, they may be much more wide-spread in Maine and other parts of the region than shown on the map. Habitat: The single common habitat element noted by herpetologists from throughout the four-toed's range is wet moss, usually sphagnum moss. The adults are terrestrial and are generally associated with forests in or adjacent to sphagnum bogs, or forests with sphagnum dominated depressions in them. The four-toed takes refuge in the wet moss, under fallen objects, and in rotting wood. The aquatic larvae are found in small ponds and slow moving streams running through bogs and wet mossy areas. These salamanders hibernate in and under rotting wood and leaves as well as in the channels of decaying tree roots. Most reports indicate a tendency of four-toeds to clump together in small to rather large groups to hibernate. One report from southern Michigan (Blanchard 1933) details a hibernation site of just a few square meters where nearly 200 four-toeds were found under the leaf litter, and in association with 114 spring peepers, 83 swamp tree frogs, 8 wood frogs, and smaller numbers of Jefferson salamanders, red-back salamanders, and red-spotted newts. Reproduction: The breeding season for this species lasts from late summer (early August) through fall (October). In Virginia, Wood (1953) surmised that salamanders reached sexual maturity during their third year. There is a brief courtship that consists of the male rubbing his snout, lips, or the side of his body against the female's snout. Sperm are then transferred to the female by means of spermatophores, small packages of sperm which are deposited on the substrate and then picked up by the female and held in her cloaca. Spermatophores for the four-toed salamander are 2 mm (.1") high. The eggs are laid the spring following mating in mid to late April and extending into June, depending on local climatic conditions. The eggs are laid singly, but adhere in a cluster; the number of eggs per clutch varies from 19 to 50. Eggs are laid in cavities within a clump of moss or grass overhanging water. Females will |
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