The Difference in Male & Female Salamanders

Salamanders

• Salamanders are commonly kept in aquariums as pets. The amphibious animals begin life as gilled aqueous larvae, then develop into either terrestrial or aqueous dwellers, depending on the species. Salamanders are members of the Caudata order and can be found in nine different families. Some common types are mole salamanders, hellbenders, newts, sirens, fire bellies, tigers, mud puppies, water dogs and Pacific giant salamanders. Close observation is required to tell the sexes apart.

Identification

• There are around 500 species of salamanders. Identifying the kind of salamander you have is essential to sexing them, as many of the qualities of males and females are species specific. Newts are a subgroup of salamanders from the genera of Cynops, Euproctus, Notopthalmus, Taricha and others. Species can be determined by asking at the pet store, or comparing pictures with Internet or library amphibian databases such as the United States Geological Service's online checklist. Identify wild salamanders with field guides.

General Criteria

• There are some general rules you can follow to sex salamanders. Male salamanders usually have a larger cloaca than females. The cloaca is the opening between the salamander's legs. Many males have a round mental gland under their chins. Female salamanders are generally plumper, especially when swollen with eggs, and are larger overall than males. Males often have longer tails than females. Males often exhibit swollen glands under their tails during breeding season.

Species-Specific Differences

• Male fire belly newts have longer toes and develop gray or blue tail spots during breeding season. Eastern red-spotted and Western newts grow dark hardened skin called nuptial pads on their leg and toe undersides when breeding. They will become slimier and smoother than the females. Male mud puppies exhibit protruding cloacal hair-like structures called papillae. Their cloacas are crescent shaped. Male redback salamanders have enlarged upper lips. The tails of male warty newts get a blue and white stripe when they are in season.