Do you ever wonder about what lies lurking beneath the stairs? Outdoor open-riser stairs that lead below ground level easily spark the imagination with images of creepy creatures that lie in wait beneath the dead leaves. I’ve often found toads and frogs in such a spot, but yesterday’s discovery was the most remarkable yet.
A beautiful yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) scrambled out of the leaves to enjoy the milder December weather. It was more marvelous than creepy, a veritable wonder to behold. Although they are not uncommon in Nova Scotia, I’ve only seen a yellow-spotted salamander once before near the compost pile. Red-backed salamanders are a much more frequent find in my yard.
At least half a foot in length, this salamander possesses the amazing ability to drop its tail in order to distract predators. Even more wonderful is its ability to regenerate its tail, limbs and even parts of organs if necessary. If it feels threatened, it can also release a whitish poison from glands around its back neck. This one simply held still until the photo shoot was over. Then it scrambled back into the leaf litter.
If it survives the winter, in early spring, this salamander will make its way at that time to the nearest pond to reproduce. In the meantime, it’s welcome to make its home beneath the stairs.
For more information on red-backed salamanders, see:
Flandrum Hill 
Oh, wonderful sight! I’ve only seen a salamander once, down in a well pit. This was in an earlier home, also an old farmhouse, between Delton and Hickory Corners, Michigan. It still seems magic when I remember it.
Funny that you should mention the magic Pamela as salamanders were considered magical creatures at one time. It was believed that they were born from fire.
I have 21 open steps from the driveway up to my front deck and I never go up or down without wondering what might be under there. Garden snakes, spiders, wasp nests, skunks, a monster. Wait, wait, the monster’s under the bed. Take a running jump and leap into the middle . . .
Salamanders are quite nice. I seem to recall that they appear only where the air quality is excellent. Given the skunk under the deck and the Cowboy’s unfortunate dietary choices, they are unlikely to build a colony under my steps.
I would love to find a realistic salamander figure to send to North Carolina. Of course, if I managed it I’d likely have to regenerate some body parts.
Gerry, I’ll keep an eye out for mailable salamanders in my neck of the woods. Good luck with those 21 open steps and that monster under the bed. (Maybe it’s just a great big harmless dust bunny).
Salamander–oh what an interesting creature. One of my favorites. I’ve never seen one as large as this one. Grins. Lurking under your stairs indeed! Ever wonder what it thinks of the creatures living above it?
47whitebuffalo, after the flash on my camera went off a few times, I wonder if the salamander thought it safe to stay under the stairs. I don’t think I want to put my hand in those leaves to find out though…
What a fascinating salamander! I’ll bet you were thrilled discovering the little fella. I think most of our creatures are buried in the ground these days. Do you know if salamanders hybernate or torpor beneath the ground, as well?
Kathy, seeing him was quite a treat. They’re supposed to spend winter under the ground. It’s been so mild here though and we haven’t had any real snow yet.
WOW! I have never seen a picture of a salamander before, Amy! I didn’t know they were this big! Fascinating…
Reggie, the more common ones are usually much smaller than this, so the size of this one impressed me too.
Hello there from the other side of the world!
I just wondered what species the creature under your stairs might be, Amy-Lynn.
The ones I find here in the Viennese woods in Austria are called Salamandra salamandra.
Hello beratungimwienerwald!
The species name of the creature under my stairs is Ambystoma maculatum. It is in the Ambystomatidae Family and only found in North America. The one in your woods is in the Salamandridae Family. They are both in the same Order (Caudata).
I am pleased to meet the North American relatives of my salamanders ; – )
Thank you for introducing me to them.
[…] This yellow-spotted salamander was found wandering about on January 1st. It was previously seen on December 6th. […]