Habitat
The blue-spot is a forest dweller. Moist soil with small ponds are important habitat elements. They are very secretive and although they do not seem to have burrowing abilities similar to tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) (Parmelee, 1990) they effectively take shelter under fallen, rotten logs, in leaf litter, moss, and other debris providing the soil is damp.
Habits
Blue-spotted Salamanders spend much time beneath moist cover and therefore may be inconspicuous even though they are present in large numbers. They move about during rains, but because they live in more closed woodland type habitats, they are far less taken crossing roads at this time than the tiger salamander. They are early spring breeders and can be found in ponds from late April to early May. Courting consists of the male lying atop the female and rubbing his snout on her back and head. They may make quite a commotion-breaking the water's surface- from time to time. Fertilization is internal, for the male will eventually drop one to three spermatophores which the female will pick up with her cloacal lips. Eggs are laid singly or in small clusters of about a dozen attached to plants or submersed logs. The larvae grow in the pond until transformation in late summer. Adults and juveniles overwinter under logs and rocks at the ponds' edge (Vogt, 1981). This salamander may slowly wave it's tail back and forth when it feels threatened. A sticky foul-tasting substance is released from the back and tail.
