The Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) inhabits mature, moist woodlands of the eastern half of the United States. Adult individuals can be observed in breeding ponds and under stones and logs during the early spring. However, they are rarely encountered as they spend most of their time underground. Some breeding ponds in the northeast have become polluted by acid rain to the extent that eggs cannot develop. This has caused populations of the Spotted Salamander to disappear.