Types of Newts & Salamanders in Western New York

Special Concern

• Four species of salamanders are of a special concern in the state of New York, all of which are native to western New York. These species are the blue-spotted salamander, the eastern hellbender, the longtail salamander and the Jefferson salamander. These salamander species are considered to be on their way to being endangered in western New York, except for the eastern hellbender, which is already considered endangered because of polluted water.

Common Salamanders

• Common salamander species that are found throughout the state of New York are the Allegheny dusky salamander, the common mudpuppy, the four-toed salamander, the northern dusky salamander, the northern red salamander, the northern redback salamander, the northern slimy salamander, the northern spring salamander, the northern two-lined salamander and the spotted salamander.

Introduced Species

• The Wehrle's salamander is considered an exotic, rare salamander species. In the state of New York; it is only found in western New York. The Wehrle's salamander is about 5 inches long and grayish brown in color with pink splotches on its back. This species is unique because it does not have aquatic larvae like most salamanders do.

Newts

• The red spotted newt is the only newt species found in western New York, and it's also found throughout state. The red spotted newt is a bright orange or red color with red spots that are outlined in black down its body. As an adult, the newt is primarily aquatic, but red spotted newt larvae and juvenile red spotted newts are land-dwellers.