Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Do salamanders eat other salamanders?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Caudata
Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) are widespread across much of the United States. Although they are generally black with yellow blotches, bars, spots, or even stripes, some are lighter in colour or have olive markings. Tiger salamanders belong to the mole salamander family, Ambystomatidae.
Yes, it is accurate to say that some salamanders eat other members of their own species. While their diet consists primarily of insects, worms, and snails, salamanders are opportunistic predators that will consume other small animals, including conspecifics.1
In addition to insects and other arthropods, larger species of salamanders are known to eat small vertebrates, such as birds and mammals. Depending on their environment, they may use different hunting techniques, such as active foraging or lunging at prey with an open mouth to create suction.2