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What is a Salamander?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A salamander is an amphibian in the order Caudata which has a lizardlike appearance, although salamanders lack the scales of true lizards. This order encompasses hundreds of individual salamander species and several large groupings, including sirens, salamanders without rear legs, and newts, a large group of salamanders found throughout the Northern hemisphere. These primordial creatures are believed to be among the oldest of living vertebrates found on land, and they provide interesting clues into the development of life on Earth.

The common name “salamander” is derived from an Ancient Greek word, salamandra, which appears to be of Eastern origin. The word was absorbed into Latin and later Old French, and used to refer to a mythical creature which could walk through fire. The link between these shy amphibians and this mythical creature is unclear; needless to say, fire is as damaging to salamanders as it is to most other living organisms.

Salamanders like to live near ponds.
Salamanders like to live near ponds.

Like other amphibians, salamanders prefer damp, moist places such as marshes, swamps, and waterways. They are especially abundant in North America, where they can be found in and around ponds, streams, and lakes. Some species also live arboreal lifestyles, favoring the environment of trees for their adult habitats. Salamanders range widely in size and coloration, but all of them have smooth, porous skins which may feel damp to the touch, along with long tails. Some species are also quite colorful, with beautiful orange or red spots on their bodies.

A salamander is an amphibian.
A salamander is an amphibian.

A salamander starts out as an aquatic larva hatched from an egg. Salamander larvae have gills so that they can breathe underwater until they develop into adults with lungs. Depending on the species, the salamander may live a primarily aquatic life, or it may range further afield. In all cases, salamanders are carnivores, preferring insects and small animals for food, and they are excellent swimmers.

As a general rule, salamanders avoid direct light, and many of them are nocturnal as a result. The animals do not thrive well in dry conditions, as most species need to keep their skins moist to promote general health and gas exchange. Because their skins are highly porous, salamanders are susceptible to environmental toxins and rough handling. Humans should be aware that salamanders can also carry bacteria which may be transferred through handling with bare hands. As a result, it is a good idea to wash your hands after dealing with salamanders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a salamander?

A salamander is an amphibian that belongs to the order Caudata (or Urodela). They are characterized by their slender bodies, short limbs, and the presence of a tail in both larvae and adult stages. Salamanders have moist, permeable skin for respiration, and many species are aquatic or semi-aquatic, while others are adapted to terrestrial environments.

How many species of salamanders are there?

There are approximately 500 to 600 species of salamanders, according to the AmphibiaWeb database. These species are distributed globally, with the greatest diversity found in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in North America. Salamanders vary greatly in size, habitat preference, and behavior, contributing to their rich biodiversity.

Can salamanders regenerate lost body parts?

Yes, salamanders are renowned for their remarkable regenerative abilities. They can regrow lost body parts, including tails, limbs, and even parts of internal organs. This regenerative process involves dedifferentiation of cells, which then proliferate and differentiate to form the new structure, a subject of significant interest in scientific research for its potential applications in medicine.

Are salamanders poisonous?

Some salamander species possess toxins in their skin, which can be harmful if ingested. The rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa), for instance, contains tetrodotoxin, one of the most potent toxins known. However, not all salamanders are poisonous, and they use their toxins primarily as a defense mechanism against predators.

What do salamanders eat?

Salamanders are generally carnivorous, preying on a variety of invertebrates such as insects, worms, and spiders. Larger species may also consume small vertebrates. Their diet can vary based on their habitat and the availability of prey. Aquatic salamanders often feed on aquatic invertebrates, while terrestrial species hunt for soil-dwelling organisms.

How do salamanders reproduce?

Salamander reproduction can be quite diverse. Many species lay eggs in water, which then hatch into aquatic larvae before undergoing metamorphosis into land-dwelling adults. Others exhibit direct development, where the offspring emerge as miniature adults. Some species, like the axolotl, are neotenic and retain their larval features throughout their lives, reproducing in their aquatic larval form.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon180947

I caught a lizard like thing but it has what look like feathers behind it's head,so what it? Is it a salamander or a newt?

StormyKnight

@dega2010: What they eat depends greatly on the habitat of the particular salamander and the type of salamander. There are basically 3 types of salamanders: aquatic, semi-aquatic, and terrestrial.

Most of the salamander species are carnivorous. They usually feed on invertebrates. The aquatic salamanders usually feed on small fish. The terrestrial salamanders eat a lot of small insects. Generally, salamanders in the wild feed on organisms such as flies, crickets, worms, roaches, locusts, and moths.

dega2010

What do salamanders eat?

wesley91

@cellmania: Well, for the first question, to find their prey, salamanders use what is called trichromatic color vision in the ultraviolet range. The permanently subterranean salamanders have reduced eyes that are sometimes covered by a layer of skin.

To escape predators, salamanders use what is called tail autotomy. Their tail will drop off and wiggle around for a little while. That gives the salamander time to run away or either stay very still so to not be noticed by the predator. The tail autotomy serves as a great distraction to the salamander’s predators.

Within a few weeks, the tail will have grown back.

CellMania

How do salamanders find their prey or keep from being another animal's prey?

alex94

@anon15675: From what I have read, salamanders are not a danger to humans. I know that they secrete some type of poison but in the article I read, it is not harmful to us. Hope that helps.

anon15675

are salamanders harmful to human beings?

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    • Salamanders like to live near ponds.
      Salamanders like to live near ponds.
    • A salamander is an amphibian.
      By: Eric Isselée
      A salamander is an amphibian.