Marbled Salamander Predators

An adult marbled salamander.

Marbled salamander predators.

Marbled salamanders are carnivores that hunt by tracking movement and smell. Larvae feed on zooplankton until they grow large enough to hunt. The larvae of the marbled salamander are also quite voracious predators eating zooplankton upon hatching but adding more prey as they grow including aquatic insects isopods fairy shrimp snails worms and the larvae of other amphibians. Almost all carnivorous and omnivorous species of animal kingdom are predators of marbled salamanders.

The marbled salamander is the state salamander of north carolina. Adults spend most of their time in their burrows or under logs as is the case with most mole salamanders. Even other relatively bigger amphibians also prey on marbled salamanders. They live for about 8 years to 10 years on average.

Marbled salamanders only eat live prey. Juvenile marbled salamanders hatch early compared. Marbled salamander larvae are also active predators and may be the dominant predators in their temporary ponds. Like many salamanders marbled salamanders have poison glands to deter predators.

Marbled salamanders have a long life comparatively. They eat zooplankton mainly copepods and cladocerans when they first hatch but add other prey to their diet as they grow including larger crustaceans isopods fairy shrimp aquatic insects snails oligochaete worms and the. Marbled salamander larvae are also active predators and may be the dominant predators in their temporary ponds.