March 24th 2026|
Photo – Courtesy of U of WY – Erin Blackman’s photo
The University of Wyoming is asking residents to report sightings of western tiger salamanders.
The Biodiversity Institute at UW is requesting volunteers to help western tiger salamanders make their annual spring migration in Laramie. Biodiversity Institute Senior Project Coordinator Mason Lee said that the amphibians are the only salamander species native to Wyoming. Unlike most salamanders, which stay close to water sources, Lee said tiger salamanders tend to live underground and far from water.
Western tiger salamanders typically grow to between 6 and 14 inches long and feature a greenish-yellow body with black spots.
In 2019, the species was designated the official amphibian of Wyoming. While tiger salamanders are not endangered, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department classifies it as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
This status allows the state to prioritize monitoring and habitat protection.
Western tiger salamanders can be found across Wyoming at elevations below 10,000 feet. Senior Project Coordinator Lee said a sizable population lives in Laramie, developing underground before moving into LaBonte Park to breed.
Lee said tiger salamanders typically migrate at night following spring rains. In Laramie, the amphibians cross over busy roadways, including North 9th and East Canby Streets, to reach their breeding grounds.
The senior project coordinator said between 40 and 100 percent of other migratory amphibian populations are killed while crossing roads.
To prevent the same thing from happening to tiger salamanders, the University of Wyoming’s Biodiversity Institute is seeking volunteers to guide the animals into LaBonte Park and gather information for biologists.
The annual tiger salamander migration a well-known phenomenon on the UW campus, with a handful of graduate students helping the animals reach LaBonte Park each spring. However, in 2022, after seeing strong interest from residents, Lee formally established the volunteer patrol program.
Lee said on average 50 volunteers participate in the program every year. In 2024, the Biodiversity Institute gathered information from 89 live tiger salamanders. Participants reported 12 killed by vehicle strikes. Lee said the 2025 migration took place earlier than expected, resulting in more salamanders dying on the road to LaBonte Park.
Migration volunteers are required to attend a mandatory training seminar at the University of Wyoming. Lee said the class covers tiger salamander lifecycles and their seasonal movements.
The Biodiversity Institute’s tiger salamander research program isn’t limited to Laramie. Lee said residents can report tiger salamander sightings anywhere in the state, including here in Carbon County, through the University of Wyoming’s website or phone app.
Outside of Laramie, Lee said a large population of tiger salamanders has been reported in Cody. This year, the Biodiversity Institute has received only one sighting from Carbon County, in Rawlins.
Links to the University of Wyoming’s tiger salamander reporting website and volunteer sign‑up page will be included in this story.
Report a Salamander Sighting: https://www.wyomingbiodiversity.org/index.php/community-science/laramie-salamander-migration-initiative/report-salamander-sighting
Migration Night Volunteer Form:
Migration Nights :: University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute
