Anderson's Salamander vs Spotted Salamander

Ambystoma andersoni compared with Ambystoma maculatum

Key Differences

• Anderson's Salamander is Critically Endangered while Spotted Salamander is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Anderson's Salamander	Spotted Salamander
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Amphibia (Amphibians)	Amphibia (Amphibians)
Order same	Caudata (Caudata)	Caudata (Caudata)
Family same	Ambystomatidae	Ambystomatidae
Genus same	Ambystoma	Ambystoma
Species	Ambystoma andersoni	Ambystoma maculatum

Evolutionary Relationship

Anderson's Salamander and Spotted Salamander share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Ambystoma.

Conservation Status

Anderson's Salamander

CR — Critically Endangered

Spotted Salamander

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Anderson's Salamander	Spotted Salamander
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Anderson's Salamander

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Nearctic and Neotropic realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Mexico. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Spotted Salamander

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

Range

Found in United States.

Anderson's Salamander

The Anderson's Salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) is a species in the genus Ambystoma. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical coniferous forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Nearctic and Neo.