Animal Guide

Western Tiger Salamander

25 destinations · 18 states

Native Range: Central and western North America

The western tiger salamander is a stout amphibian that can look almost ordinary until you notice its bold markings and powerful little limbs. Its dark body is often covered with yellowish spots or blotches, giving each individual a slightly different pattern. In an exhibit, these salamanders may spend much of their time tucked beneath logs, rocks, or other shelter, so patience pays off. Watch for a slow head movement, a careful step, or the sudden shuffle of an animal crossing the habitat. Their secretive lifestyle makes those small moments surprisingly rewarding. Tiger salamanders are also fascinating because they change dramatically during their life cycle. Young larvae live in water and breathe through external gills, while adults develop lungs and spend much of their time on land. In the wild, western tiger salamanders can be found across a wide range of habitats, often returning to ponds or other temporary water sources to breed. Seeing one close up makes it easier to appreciate how well this unassuming amphibian moves between two very different worlds.

Western Tiger Salamander

Where to see Western Tiger Salamander

25 destinations across 18 states

25 destinations

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Tucson, AZ

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Sanford, FL

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Colorado Springs, CO

David Traylor Zoo of Emporia

Emporia, KS

Flint RiverQuarium

Albany, GA

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Glen Rose, TX

Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

West Yellowstone, MT

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

San Jose, CA

Lee Richardson Zoo

Garden City, KS

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Draper, UT

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Nashville, TN

North Carolina Zoo

Asheboro, NC

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Potawatomi Zoo

South Bend, IN

Santa Ana Zoo

Santa Ana, CA

Sedgwick County Zoo

Wichita, KS

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, DC

Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia Living Museum

Newport News, VA

Wildlife Safari Park

Ashland, NE

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