Salamanders

Salamanders look like lizards, but they are actually amphibians. They have smooth skin. Their skin has small wrinkles. Most salamanders live on land for most of their adult lives.

Salamanders have a long tail. Their skin has poison. This helps them escape predators. Some salamanders have spots or stripes. Most have four short legs. Some only have two legs. If a salamander loses a limb, that limb can grow back.

Salamanders can be found all around the world. They live in cool, wet places. They often hide under rocks or logs. Salamanders live in burrows. Some live in the water.

Salamanders eat meat. They use their sticky tongues to catch prey. They might also hide and jump out to catch prey. Some salamanders eat worms or insects. Others eat animals such as mice or baby snakes.

Most salamanders lay eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae. A few salamanders have live babies on land. These babies look just like small adults. Salamanders live approximately 10 years.

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Salamander Classification: Amphibian
Diet: Carnivore
Endangered Status: Most are Least Concern, but some are Endangered or Critically Endangered.
Average Length – Longest A Chinese giant salamander is longer than an acoustic guitar.
Average Length – Shortest A Mexican pygmy salamander is about as long as a penny.

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