Blunthead Salamander
CR

Blunthead Salamander

Ambystoma amblycephalum

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blunt-headed_salamander

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Ambystoma amblycephalum faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in its limited range within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Water pollution and sedimentation from agricultural runoff have degraded the aquatic breeding sites essential for reproduction. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented across isolated highland lakes and ponds.

Threat summary

Habitat

This salamander inhabits high-altitude lakes, ponds, and associated wetlands in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt at elevations between 2,000-3,000 meters. It requires clean, well-oxygenated aquatic environments with minimal disturbance for successful breeding and larval development.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restoration

Other threatened species in AMBYSTOMATIDAE

Frosted Flatwoods SalamanderEN

Frosted Flatwoods Salamander

Ambystoma cingulatum

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EN

Michoacan Stream Salamander

Ambystoma ordinarium

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Lake Patzcuaro SalamanderCR

Lake Patzcuaro Salamander

Ambystoma dumerilii

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Mountain Stream SiredonEN

Mountain Stream Siredon

Ambystoma altamirani

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Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

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CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

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EN

Opuntia pachyrrhiza

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EN

Arachnothryx tacanensis

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Blunthead Salamander classified as Critically Endangered?
Blunthead Salamander is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Ambystoma amblycephalum faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in its limited range within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Water pollution and sedimentation from agricultural runoff have degraded the aquatic breeding sites essential for reproduction. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with remaining populations fragmented across isolated highland lakes and ponds.
Where does Blunthead Salamander live?
Blunthead Salamander occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Blunthead Salamander?
The main threats to Blunthead Salamander are 1.1, 8.1, 9.3.4, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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