Mole Salamander Ambystoma talpoideum  (Holbrook, 1838)
An adult specimen from Jasper County, South Carolina Image © Suzanne L. Collins, 2001
Etymology:1
	Latin - talpa - mole & Latin - oides (similarity to Latin - eum - having the quality of) - refers to burrowing habits
Original Description:2
	Salamandra talpoidea Holbrook (1838, North American Herpetology. First Edition. Volume 3: 117). Type: Not known to exist. Type locality: "sea islands on the borders of South Carolina."
Distribution:
	Southcentral Virginia, extreme southern Illinois, southeastern Oklahoma and east Texas with disjunct colonies in northern Florida.
References:
	Reviewed by Shoop (1964, Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 8.1-2).
1.	Data Modified From: Translations of the Scientific Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America, Ellin Beltz.
2.	Data Modified From: Citations for the Original Descriptions of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. SSAR Herpetological Circular 24. Ellin Beltz, 1995.