While doing a bit of exploring at Maumee Bay State Park, I came across a few examples of this very cool amphibian. The Blue-spotted Salamander is a Mole Salamander native to the Great Lakes states and northeastern United States, and parts of Ontario and Quebec in Canada.
This is a medium-sized amphibian with conspicuous markings of randomly distributed, sky-blue spots, blotches, and flecks on a base color of dark gray to black. Adults measure 3 to 5 inches in total length, with males being smaller than females. They have specialized glands on their tails that secrete a milky substance which is harmful to predators. In some cases, they will raise and wave their tail as a way to repel a potential predator.
These creatures are primarily found in moist, deciduous hardwood forests and swampy woodlands with sandy soil, though they can be found in coniferous forests and fields too. They prefer vernal pools that retain water into mid-Summer, to ensure access to a suitable breeding habitat.
Blue-spotted Salamanders are carnivorous, eating invertebrates such as worms, snails, slugs, centipedes, and spiders, as well as insects. Like most salamanders, they stay underground during the day. However, at night they will emerge from the soil to feed.
This is truly a beautiful herp to come across and seeing on in the field makes for a memorable experience.