Prepared by Stewart E. Hamill

The Small-mouthed Salamander is a medium to large salamander classified as endangered on the Species at Risk in Ontario List. It spends most of its adult life in underground burrows or under leaf litter, or living under cover objects such as logs and rocks. In early spring the adults make an annual nocturnal overland migration to breeding wetlands for mating and egg-laying. The larvae remain in water until emergence as adults in mid-summer.

Habitat requirements include an integrated complex with:

  • a shallow fish-free wetland which can retain water until mid-summer;
  • surrounding habitat which provides cover for migration and adult life;
  • shaded soft moist soils for burrowing; and
  • habitat connections which permit dispersal and longer migrations of up to one km.

The Small-mouthed Salamander reaches the northern limit of its range in Michigan, Ohio and on Pelee Island in Ontario. On Pelee Island it is known from only three wetlands, two of which are protected. The third site is on private land. Due to the relative isolation of the island, monitoring and surveillance programs are not frequent, no comprehensive population census data are available and threat assessment is limited. Nevertheless, the abilities of the species to withstand temporary droughts and avoid predators mean that this salamander could continue to thrive in Ontario if its habitat is maintained.

Threats to the Small-mouthed Salamander in Ontario include:

  • habitat alteration, loss, and fragmentation;
  • invasive and introduced species, such as the European Common Reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis), the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) and fish introduced to breeding ponds;
  • climate change, which could bring warmer, drier conditions with prolonged drought;
  • pollution, which is a particular threat to salamanders due to their sensitivity;
  • predation, particularly by the recently-introduced Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) which could be an effective salamander predator;
  • mortality on roads from vehicles; and
  • competition and hybridization, although the species appears to be capable of managing this threat.

The recovery goal is to ensure that threats to populations and habitat are sufficiently managed to allow for long-term persistence and expansion of the Small-mouthed Salamander population within its Ontario range on Pelee Island. The strategy describes protection and recovery objectives for this species in Ontario, including to:

  • protect and maintain the quality and quantity of habitat on Pelee Island where the Small-mouthed Salamander occurs;
  • implement a monitoring program for salamander populations, habitats, and threats on Pelee Island including surveys of suitable habitat;
  • promote and carry out research on Small-mouthed Salamander genetics, populations and threats;
  • investigate existing, former, and potential Small-mouthed Salamander habitats on Pelee Island to determine if restoration, re-introduction or population interventions would be appropriate; and
  • implement education, stewardship and communication programs for private landowners, residents and visitors on Pelee Island.

This recovery strategy also recommends that a habitat regulation be developed which includes:

  • all wetland habitats where the Small-mouthed Salamander is known to breed;
  • any new locations found or any locations where the salamander is re-introduced;
  • all suitable terrestrial areas and features that extend radially 300 m from the edge of any breeding wetland; and
  • corridors that provide contiguous connections between breeding locations extending up to a maximum of one kilometre.