Plateau Tiger Salamanders are found in Mexico. These are the members of the group ‘mole salamander’, and are suffering a habitat loss.

Scientific Name – Ambystoma velasci

Classification – Ambystoma

Gender Names – Male – boar; Female – sow; Baby – eft

Collective Noun – Herd, congress

Special Features – The whole black body is spotted with bright golden yellow to cream-white patterns (and hence the name)

Social Structure – Lives alone except during mating season

Geographical Distribution – Throughout Mexico, but might also be living in the United States

Natural Habitat – Prefers aquatic habitats, including ponds, deep volcanic lakes, shallow pools, stream pools not inhabited by fish

World Population – Unknown

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Diet – Insects, arthropods, larvae

Predators – Large fishes, aquatic birds and larger amphibians