Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland's Salamanders and Newts  (Order Caudata)


Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)


Adult Photo of Four-toed Salamander, courtesy of John White
Adult Photo and Foot Detail Photo of Four-toed Salamander courtesy of John White


Size:
2 - 3½ in; Record - 4 in.

Appearance:
Four-toed Salamander foot detail courtesy of John White
Three distinct characteristics make identification easy:
  1. an enamel-white belly with small black spots (the only salamander with this),
  2. four toes on both front and hind feet (most salamanders have five toes on back feet), and
  3. a marked constriction at the base of the tail. A rusty brown back and gray sides.
​

Habitat:

Habitat photo for Four-toed Salamander courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers 
Habitat Photo for Four-toed Salamander courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers

  • Forests surrounding swamps, bogs, vernal pools, sluggish streams and other fish-free wetland habitats.
  • Typically found in association with sphagnum or other mosses, where females lay eggs in late winter and early spring along wetland margins.

Distribution in Maryland:
Maryland Distribution Map of Four-toed Salamander