👇 Psst... scroll down to fill out the details and add to your cart! 👇
Each package comprises a personalized certificate with the recipient's name, an 8 x 10 photo, and qualifies for a tax receipt.
Western Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium)
Date of admission: August 14, 2026.
Reason for admission: Human Interaction
Patient History:
This Western Tiger Salamander came to us after being found among debris and what appeared to be chemical residue in the collection container of a street-sweeping vehicle. The salamander had likely been trapped there for several hours. Thankfully, it made it safely into our care and is doing well.
The Western Tiger Salamander can reach 15–30 centimetres in length as an adult, making it one of Alberta’s larger terrestrial salamanders. While salamanders are often associated with water, Western Tiger Salamanders spend much of their adult lives on land and return to ponds, wetlands and other bodies of water to breed. They are excellent burrowers, using underground shelters to conserve moisture and escape extreme temperatures and other challenging weather conditions. They may remain underground and inactive for extended periods of time until conditions become more favourable.
Like many amphibians, Western Tiger Salamanders are primarily nocturnal, becoming most active at night. They are also carnivorous, feeding on a variety of small prey. In Alberta, their diet can include insects, worms, and spiders, YUM!
Western Tiger Salamanders are ectothermic, meaning they rely on their surroundings to regulate their body temperature rather than producing enough internal heat to maintain a constant temperature. During Alberta’s cold winters, they retreat underground and enter a state of dormancy called brumation. Their metabolism slows considerably during this time, allowing them to conserve energy until warmer conditions return.
In Alberta, the Western Tiger Salamander is considered a species of Special Concern, meaning it may be at risk of becoming threatened or endangered if factors affecting its populations are not addressed. Protecting wetlands and the surrounding habitats these amphibians depend on is an important part of supporting healthy salamander populations. This little salamander’s journey is a reminder of just how vulnerable wildlife can be to the human-altered environments they increasingly share with us, and why giving injured and displaced animals a chance to recover matters. Thank you for supporting their care!