They look like lizards and they live in moist habitats or near water.
They live in moist woodlands, marshes, grasslands, and other habitats under leaves and rocks.
Salamanders come in different colors such as black, yellow, and green.
They have 4 legs and a thick long tail.
Salamanders are among the rare species that can regenerate lost limbs.
What are Salamanders?Salamander IdentificationWhat do Salamanders Look Like?Diet and BehaviorHabitat and DistributionTypes of Salamanders – Identification Guide1.
Salamanders are amphibians with soft moist mucus-like skin.
They live in moist habitats resembling frogs in appearance and location.
Salamanders are known to have very vivid colors not trying to mimic their environment.
These vivid colors are a defensive mechanism to make predators think they’re poisonous creatures.
There are more than 600 species of salamander recognized around the world.
Salamanders are small amphibians that have an average size of 6 inches.
They can grow larger in rare cases.
The largest recognizes salamander species is the Japanese giant salamander which grows up to a few feet.
This is a tree-climbing species that rarely grows larger than 1 inch.
A diverse range of salamanders lives here.
Most salamanders in the US live in forests.
A smaller but still significant number of species live in caves.
Both caves and woodlands share high humidity characteristics.
There are more than 300 salamander species in North America.
They share many habits such as the ability to shed their tails in the eventuality of an attack.
Salamanders are nocturnal species only coming out during the day in cool weather to avoid dehydration.
Species of salamander in the US are mostly terrestrial with a small percentage being aquatic, mainly tied to freshwater sources.
Types of Salamanders – Identification Guide
The following species are the most common in the world of salamanders.
The Eastern Newt species (Notophthalmus viridescens) is common in the Eastern part of the US.
Its habitat ranges from Minnesota to Maine and down to Texas.
As an adult, they are known for a striking green color dorsally and a yellow belly.
Due to their bi-colored body, the species is also collected as pets for aquariums.
Eastern Newts eat insects, amphibians, mollusks, and even worms.
Larvae of the species are found in mud.
It turns into brightly-colored efts which are warning signs as to appears toxic.
Eastern Newt salamanders have a tetrodotoxin which makes them safe from predators such as fish.
While widespread, the species faces common threats such as habitat fragmentation and a low percentage of eft development.
Only 2% of Eastern Newt larvae survive to adulthood.
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
The Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) shares its US habitat with the Eastern Newt, except for the Southeastern US states.
The species is found in 2 color variations which might make for a difficult identification.
It’s seen in red color with a black dorsal stripe and a lead color darker version.
Differences in appearance within this species can have multiple causes.
One of them is the presence of different temperatures as the salamander grows.
One of the distinct traits within the Eastern Red-backed salamander species is the differences in diet between the 2 morphs.
The red-backed salamander is known to have a wider diet with mites topping its list of preferences.
A reduced diet mostly comprised of ants and mites characterizes the preferences of the lead version of salamander.
California Newt
California Newt
California Newt
The California Newt (Taricha torosa) is a species of salamander native to California.
It grows up to 8 inches and it can be found in Southern parts of the state’s coastal streams.
Its habitat is now diminished due to the prevalence of predators such as mosquitofish as well as Garter snakes.
These salamanders produce a skin toxin that limits the number of predators that would eat them.
Common in Southern parts of California and the Sierra Nevada, this species is interested in consuming worms, slugs, crickets, and eggs such as fish eggs.
Seeing this salamander in its natural habitat is common.
It finds its food here and its predators here as its larvae are targeted by fish.
The Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) is considered large when compared to other US species as it grows to almost 10 inches.
Salamanders of the species are mostly seen in black coloring with orange or brown spots along their body.
Preferred habitats include swamps and forests, particularly at higher altitudes.
This salamander is also present in Eastern parts of the country but not seen in coastal areas.
The species is not easy to see as its nocturnal.
Furthermore, people rarely see it as it lives in remote areas where it’s even active during the winter.
Salamanders of this species are known to guide themselves after wintertime rains to move towards ponds where they need to lay eggs in the spring.
Up to 200 eggs are laid in ponds by this species.
This species (Batrachoseps attenuatus) is found across California.
It’s known for its dark body with yellow or brown stripes.
Adapted to living next to water sources, the species is tied to redwood forests and California oak woodlands.
It lives in these habitats next to freshwater streams or ponds.
The species is of medium size and known for its agility.
California Slender salamander is known for eating termites and worms.
The species is sometimes looking for existing burrows and underground nests for shelter.
Ensatina salamander (Ensatina eschscholtzii) is found in the Western regions of the US and California.
It has a common presence from British Colombia down to California where it lives and lays eggs underground.
The species is known for its dark brown body with a few pink dorsal marks.
Some of the places where the species is easiest to spot include habitats next to water sources.
Like another salamander, it should not be handled roughly as it breathes through its skin.
The species is not dangerous to humans but it resents being handled as it can eliminate a milk-like secretion when handled.
Rough-skinned Newt
Rough-skinned Newt
Rough-skinned Newt
The species of Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa) is known for its thick dark brown to black body.
It has a growing habitat in the Western part of the country.
Reported populations include areas of Alaska, Idaho, and California.
Rough-skinned Newt salamanders are some of the most toxic in California.
The species is also known for having an off-putting scent.
Rough-skinned Newt salamander has to stay away from its most common predator, the Common Garter snake.
This species is mostly black with a few light marks across its body.
Salamanders of this genus get their name from the slime they produce through their skin.
Like most other salamanders, the Northern Slimy salamander prefers moist soils and it moves under leaves most of the time.
The Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata) gets its name from the 2 lines that run from head to tail and make this species distinctive.
Salamanders of this genus are known to be small.
The salamanders of the genus are known to prefer rocky rivers where they’re often seen looking for food.
Characteristic reduced dimensions of the species also make it one of the vulnerable types of salamander in the Northeast.
Birds, owls, and snakes are among its most common predators.
Known for the lines that run from head to tail, this tan-brown salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) is common and not threatened.
Salamanders of this genus grow to a size between 2.5 and 7.5 inches.
Its larvae are aquatic and often seen around streams and creeks.
Females lay eggs on the substrate and they prefer to do this as a means of protection.
This species of salamander (Aneides lugubris) has a purple-brown color.
It’s rarely seen by people as it’s a nocturnal species that climb trees.
It has excellent climbing abilities and its reduced body size helps it climb trees to the top.
The species is also known for making a faint sound.
The Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) gets its name from the white marks on its black body.
This is a unique species encountered in the Southeast, mainly due to its reproductive habits.
The Marbled salamander lays eggs in the fall until late October while most other salamanders lay eggs in the winter.
Females use the rain of the fall to travel toward water sources in high humidity.
They remain with the eggs (up to a few hundred) until rain falls again prompting them to hatch.
Eggs have to wait for the water of the rain to hatch, but only in the spring in this case.
Salamanders of these species are known to be toxic, they should not be handled.
Northern Dusky Salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus) are found in Northeastern parts of North America.
The species has a few distinctive traits such as a shiny brown body and low mobility.
The species can be seen in upland streams, far from suburban areas and crops.
Salamanders of the species are known for having one of the most varied diets in the Plethodontidae family.
These salamanders eat all types of invertebrates found around streams and rivers.
Northern Dusky salamanders are known to live long lives.
Red Salamanders (Pseudotriton ruber) are found in forests, ponds, and shrubland in Eastern US.
The species is characterized by a bright red body with small black spots.
Salamanders of the genus grow to 7.1 inches and they are known for having an expanding habitat with a few exceptions such as in Indiana when it has an endangered status due to habitat fragmentation.
Like other salamanders, the Red salamander breathes through its skin.
Red salamanders are known for eating insects.
The Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda) is a species that has an orange or orange-brown coloring with black dots.
Its tail makes up more than half of its body length.
These salamanders can grow up to 8 inches.
They are found in Eastern parts of the country next to water sources such as streams, rivers, and ponds.
Up to a few hundred Long-tailed salamanders can be found in the same place.
This is typically a shaded place as they like to stay away from the sun during the day, only coming out in the evening.
Blue-spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma laterale) are a growing species with a common presence in the Northeastern parts of the US.
As its name suggests, the coloring of this species has blue undertones.
Known for its black color with blue undertones, the species stands out in its natural habitat which includes ponds with thick vegetation.
These salamanders are also seen in forests.
As these salamanders grow, they move further inland from the ponds they hatch in.
The Blue-spotted Salamander is one of the most prolific breeders in temperate climates as females are known to lay up to 300 eggs per year.
Northwestern Salamanders (Ambystoma gracile) have a tan to brand coloring with or without black marks.
Climate is believed to influence the presence of black marks on some Northwestern salamanders.
The species becomes more common at a higher altitude compared to lower grasslands.
Known as terrestrial species, these salamanders are often seen coming out with the rain when they move towards water sources to lay eggs.
Their eggs measure around 2mm in diameter and they’re always found in areas with water.
Salamanders of the genus are also known to have the ability to dig through mud and loose soil.
This is why adults of the species are rarely seen during the warm summer days when they prefer to be underground in a cooler location.
Salamanders of this genus (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) are found in Eastern parts of the US.
They come in different colors, but mostly in various shades of brown.
These salamanders also have a line that runs along their dorsal which can be black, yellow, brown, or black.
Preferred habitats include streams and ponds.
While the Eastern part of the US also has larger streams and rivers, the species prefer to stay away from them due to the presence of predatory fish.
Adults of the species are also found in rocky areas.
Most of these preferred rocky areas are found within woodlands.
This species (Batrachoseps nigriventris) is native to California.
It lives in the California chaparral and woodlands.
Black-bellied slender salamanders have a brown, black, or reddish color.
These are among the salamander species that don’t look like salamanders.
This resembles worms also makes them slower in movement and a bigger target for potential predators.
The Coastal Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) is the largest species of salamander in the US.
It grows up to 13 inches and it’s found in the Pacific Northwest.
The Coastal Giant salamander has a long tail that represents up to 40% of its body.
It eats worms, small fish, and slugs.
Identified by its black and brown body, this species is also highly toxic.
While not life-threatening, it should still not be handled as it can release a headache-inducing toxin through its skin.
As giant salamanders, they also have larger predators.
Other defensive mechanisms outside their toxins include taking up a defensive position where it raises its tail upward and forward.
The Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) is the second most widespread salamander species in the US.
Salamanders of this species are rather short, only growing to a size between 2 and 3.5 inches.
It lives at high altitudes and rarely at low altitudes where it remains active throughout the year.
Rarely seen by people due to its secretive nature, this species is known to overwinter in the ground, below the surface, and in freezing temperatures.
Clusters of Long-toed salamanders are known to overwinter together.
One of the adaptions that allow the species to hide in the ground for months is its capacity to store protein.
It uses stored protein reserves around its body and in its tail as food during the winter when it lives with up to 25 other salamanders of the species in the ground.
The Seal Salamander (Desmognathus monticola) is found in many hardwood forests.
It prefers small forest streams as its habitat and this is also where the females lay their eggs.
Female Seal salamanders lay a small number of eggs compared to the average species in North America.
They can lay up to 30 eggs per year.
Even with a small number of laid eggs, the species remain abundant.
Furthermore, adult Seal salamander often hides in narrow crevices during the day.
These remote areas are difficult for predators to get into.
This species (Eurycea lucifuga) is native to the US.
As its name suggests it lives in caves or near caves.
Over time, subspecies of the Cave salamander have been noted in forests and habitats with no caves at all.
These include habitats in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Cave salamanders are known for their bright orange or yellow body with black spots on the dorsal side.
These salamanders are also known to be mid-size or large-size.
While their reproductive habits are already known, their eggs are rarely found.
This indicates Cave salamander might lay eggs inside caves, crevices, underground, or in other very remote locations.
It’s believed that female Cave salamanders lay eggs over time for a few months from September to February.
The Barred Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) is a species that closely resembles tigers.
It has a dual color stripped body which inspires its name.
They grow more than 10 inches in length and this also makes them good pets, even if trading them has now become illegal in many parts of the country.
These salamanders are known for resembling tigers, but they also show other distinct characteristics such as cannibalism.
Research shows that this species of salamander will still look towards cannibalism even in the case of food abundance.
Otherwise, the species is opportunistic and it will fee on almost any type of insect or animal it can ambush.
The Spring Salamander species (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) is also known as the Purple salamander.
Like most other salamanders in the US, it can be found in the Eastern parts of the country with a high presence in the Eastern parts of Canada as well.
The species grows to a maximum size of up to 7.5 inches.
The species grows to a maximum size of up to 7.5 inches.
It can be seen occasionally alongside streams in forests in a temperate climate.
Salamander of this genus prefers cold streams.
This is why its preferred habitat is always upstream at higher altitudes where temperatures are lower.
Four-toed Salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum) have a red-brown color.
They grow to a size between 2 and 4 inches and they are scarcely found around Eastern US territories.
Unlike other salamander species in this part of the country, the Four-toed salamander only lives under the leaves of hardwood forests.
It prefers this habitat to other types of forests and riparian areas.
The female salamander is known to lay eggs in vegetation around the water or in the water in these woodlands.
One of the distinct traits of the females of these species is their capacity to defend eggs.
Many females are seen patrolling the area with the eggs, oftentimes in small groups.
California Giant Salamander
California Giant Salamander
California Giant Salamander
The California Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus) is one of the largest salamander species in North America.
It grows to a maximum size between 6.5 and 12 inches and it’s identified by a brown color with dark brown or black marks on its tail, body, head, and legs.
These salamanders are known to live at different elevations up to 6.500 feet.
Apart from their large size, they’re also known as types of salamander that guard their eggs.
Unlike in other salamander species, it’s the male California Giant salamander that guards the eggs once laid by the female.
Western Red-backed Salamander
Western Red-backed Salamander
Western Red-backed Salamander
The Western Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon vehiculum) is one of the smallest species of salamander living in the Northeast US territories.
It likes the forests in the area together with the riparian streams and rocky terrains of the area, like many other species of salamander.
Western Red-backed Salamander is known for having a distinct band that runs from head to tail.
This band can have different colors which can sometimes confuse when identifying this species with other banded salamanders.
Its size is considerably smaller than the average size of North American salamander species.
In the wild, it rarely grows more than 2 inches.
The Western Red-backed salamander is also known to have very short limbs compared to the rest of its body sie.
The Western Slimy Salamander (Plethodon albagula) gets its name from its slimy body.
The salamanders in Texas exhibit the most curious habits as they don’t lay eggs in the water like most other endemic species.
Still, like all salamanders, the Western Slimy salamander prefers high humidity habitats.
The White-spotted Slimy Salamander (Plethodon cylindraceus) is a species of dark color with small white spots across its body.
It prefers to live in hardwood forests where it feeds on the high humidity at ground level and below ground level.
Unlike many other salamander species, it doesn’t live under the ground-level leaves of hardwood forests but rather under large objects such as large rocks or large logs where a small cave-like habitat is recreated.
The species live a short life compared to most other US-based salamanders.
It might live up to 10 years in some parts of the country.
These slimy salamanders mate twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
The Northern Zigzag Salamander (Plethodon dorsalis) is one of the polymorphic species found in the US.
Identification can confuse as this species comes in multiple colors and patterns.
Its most common version has a dark color with a zigzag line that runs from its head to the tip of its tail.
The problem with identifying it by its zigzag line is that it comes in other colors such as brown without the line that runs from head to tail.
This is a small species that mostly grow up to 3.5 inches.
It feeds on a wide range of insects and spiders and it’s one of the most abundant types of salamander in the US.
Black-bellied Salamanders (Desmognathus quadramaculatus) are among the largest in the Southwest.
This species grows to a maximum length between 4 and 7.5 inches and it’s common in this part of the country except for Florida.
The Black-bellied salamander has a black or brown body.
This species is aquatic and it will remain in the proximity of ponds and streams for its entire life.
Highly common in states such as Georgia, this species isn’t threatened.
The lack of real predators and its ability to make a quick escape allow this species to become more common in the Southwest even if the females don’t lay as many eggs as the females of other species.
Female Black-bellied salamander lay up to 40 eggs in the spring.
Salamander vs Newts: what are the differences?
Salamandridae Family – Newts and True Salamanders1.1 Spanish ribbed newt, Pleurodeles waltl1.2 Iranian harlequin newt, Neurergus kaiseri1.3 Fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra1.4 Luschan’s salamander, Lyciasalamandra luschani2.
Plethodontidae Family – Lungless Salamanders2.1 Sierra Juarez hidden salamander, Thorius adelos2.2 Arboreal Thorius, Thorius arboreus3.
Proteidae Family – Mudpies, Waterdogs, Olms3.1 Mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus3.2 Olm, Proteus anguinus4.
Ambystomatidae Family – Mole Salamanders4.1 Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum4.2 Marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum5.
Amphiumidae Family – Congo Eels5.1 Two-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma means6.
Dicamptodontidae Family – Giant Salamanders6.1 Pacific giant salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus7.
Rhyacotritonidae Family – Torrent or Seep Salamanders7.1 Southern torrent salamander, Rhyacotriton variegatusSuborder Cryptobranchoidea (Giant Salamanders)1.
Cryptobranchidae Family – Giant Salamanders & Hellbenders1.1 Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis1.2 Chinese giant salamander, Adrias davidianus2.
Hynobiidae Family – Asiatic Salamanders2.1 Persian mountain salamander, Paradactylodon persicusSuborder Sirenoidea (Sirens)1.
Sirenidae Family – Sirens1.1 Reticulated siren, Siren reticulataThe Complete Salamander GuideLife cycleDietHabitat and rangeSkin colors and designsCan salamanders lose their tails?Natural Predators of SalamandersDo Salamanders Hibernate in the Winter?Cultural Symbolism and Salamander MythsEnvironmental Threats: Habitat LossImpact of Climate Changeyou may also like:
From only a few inches long to the largest amphibian on the planet, salamander species have a wide range of characteristics.
Read on to learn about the different families of salamanders, interesting species in each family, and the top facts about salamanders.
Salamander Classification and Species
There are about 740 living species of salamanders, organized into ten families within the order Caudata.
Salamanders are characterized as amphibians with four legs, tails about as long as their body, and moist skin.
Like other amphibians, salamanders can’t live far from water.
Most salamander species live in damp areas on the land during adulthood but return to water to breed and subsequently have an aquatic larval stage.
Some species are entirely aquatic and grow to be much larger than terrestrial species.
We outline the three suborders and ten families of salamanders alive today.
A fourth suborder and four additional families have been observed only in fossils.
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The largest suborder of salamanders is Salamandroidea, also known as advanced salamanders.
This suborder includes seven families, which are outlined below.
1. Salamandridae Family – Newts and True Salamanders
The Salamandridae family includes newts and true salamanders.
Within this family, there are fifteen genera of true salamanders and over fifty species of newts.
All members of the Salamandridae family are toxic, with either poisonous skin or glands that secrete poison when threatened.
The Salamandridae family inhabits a wide range, from North American to northern Africa and the southern foothills of the Himalayas.
Newts differ from true salamanders by their lack of rib or costal grooves along the sides of their body.
They’re also often much smaller than true salamanders and more likely to be brightly colored.
1.1 Spanish ribbed newt, Pleurodeles waltl
Spanish ribbed newts take self-defense to another level.
These newts have poisonous skin as well as barbs along the sides of their body to protect them from predators.
These barbs are actually ribs that can be forced through the newt’s skin when threatened.
Spanish ribbed newts range from dark to light gray in color and often have dark brown blotches, growing up to 12 inches (0.3 meters) in length.
Spanish ribbed newts are found throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco.
To adapt to this drier region, Spanish ribbed newts will hide under rocks or in crevices to stay moist during the dry season.
1.2 Iranian harlequin newt, Neurergus kaiseri
Iranian harlequin newts have a very localized range, found only in mountainous areas of the Lorestan Province.
These newts, also known as Kaiser’s spotted newts, are brightly colored with red, yellow, black, and white markings and grow up to 5 inches (0.1 meters) in length.
The rainy season in their mountainous range only lasts a few months, so Iranian harlequin newts have a unique adaptation.
They have been observed to hibernate during the dry season when small streams and other water sources have dried up, rather than hibernating during the winter to avoid the cold weather.
Fire salamanders are one of the more recognizable salamander species.
Found in woodlands throughout central Europe, these salamanders have a distinctive black and yellow coloring and grow up to 12 inches (0.3 meters) in length.
There are up to nine subspecies of Salamandra salamandra, separated geographically through habitat fragmentation.
This species hibernates inside dried logs and was commonly seen crawling out of fires when their hibernation homes were placed in fires during the winter months.
Luschan’s salamander is recognizable by its bright yellow and orange marking, which vary through the three subspecies.
This salamander species is found in temperate forests and Mediterranean shrubby vegetation in Turkey and Greece.
Luschan’s salamander is also known as Lycian salamander, and can grow up to 5 inches (0.1 meters) in total length.
2. Plethodontidae Family – Lungless Salamanders
The Plethodontidae family includes lungless salamanders.
This family of salamanders lose their gills when metamorphosing from larvae to adults, but they don’t grow lungs like other salamanders.
Instead, salamanders in the Plethodontidae family breathe only through their moist skin.
Pleth comes from the Latin word for many and dont comes from the Latin word for teeth, so this family of salamanders is known for having many teeth.
This family has the most diversity and is the only family that is really successful in tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 / Sean Michael Rovito / Calphotos.Berkeley.Edu
These salamanders have maxillary teeth just like most salamanders, but also have several teeth on the roof of their mouth.
Sierra Juarez hidden salamanders are approximately 2 inches (0.05 meters) in length and are found only in the cloud forests near Oaxaca, Mexico.
CC BY-NC-SA / 2010 Sean Michael Rovito / inaturalist.org
The smallest salamander species, arboreal thorius salamanders are approximately half an inch (0.01 meters) long.
Arboreal thorius are brown in color with a reddish dorsal stripe and are only found at high elevations in the cloud forests of Mexico.
This species of salamanders is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.
3. Proteidae Family – Mudpies, Waterdogs, Olms
The Proteidae family includes mudpuppies, waterdogs, and olms.
This family is characterized by paedomorphosis (incomplete metamorphosis) and are aquatic throughout their entire life cycle.
Salamanders in the proteidae family are found in Europe and North America.
Mudpuppies are also known as waterdogs, and are one of the only salamander species that makes noise.
Adult mudpuppies have external gills, grow between 8 and 13 inches (0.2 – 0.4 meters) in length, and can live eleven years in the wild.
Mudpuppies live in the bottom of bodies of water in North America and are fully aquatic throughout their life cycle.
One of the more unique salamander species, olms are blind salamanders that live in caves in southeastern Europe.
Olms retain their external, feathery red gills into adulthood and have been known to live past 100 years in the wild.
These salamanders have adapted to life in the dark and while they have eyes as larvae, their eyes are covered by layers of skin as they become adults.
4. Ambystomatidae Family – Mole Salamanders
Species in the Ambystomatidae family are commonly known as mole salamanders.
This family has a wide geographic range, throughout most of North America from Canada to Mexico City.
Some species in the Ambystomatidae family undergo a complete metamorphosis, while others experience paedomorphosis and retain some juvenile features into adulthood.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable salamander species, axolotls retain some larval features into adulthood.
This is known as paedomorphosis.
Adult axolotls still have external gills and both an upper fin along the spine and a lower fin on the bottom of the tail.
Generally axolotls are dark brown with black speckling, but color mutants are fairly common and include albino, white, and other colored individuals.
Due to habitat loss, water pollution, and invasive species, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has classified the axolotl as critically endangered since 2006.
The marbled salamander is found in damp woodlands in the eastern United States.
Adult marbled salamanders grow to approximately 4 inches (0.1 meters) in length and are black or dark brown with silvery-white bands across their back.
Marbled salamanders differ from other species in the Ambystomatidae family: instead of breeding in permanent water sources in the spring, marbled salamanders breed entirely on land in the fall.
The female will bury fertilized eggs in small depressions and stay with the eggs, keeping them moist, until the nest becomes flooded from rain.
5. Amphiumidae Family – Congo Eels
Salamanders in the Amphiumidae family are commonly called Amphiumas or Congo eels.
This family is characterized by aquatic, eel-like salamanders up to 3 feet (9 meters) in length.
Salamanders in the Amphiumidae family bury themselves in the mud when their body of water goes dry and can go up to three years without food.
The two-toed amphiuma grows to between 14 and 30 inches (0.4 – 0.8 meters) in length at adulthood and is semi-aquatic.
While technically able to crawl through swampy land on their small legs, two-toed amphiuma spend most of their life in water.
6. Dicamptodontidae Family – Giant Salamanders
The Dicamptodontidae family includes Giant Salamanders.
Salamanders in this family are the largest terrestrial species of salamanders, growing up to 13 inches (0.3 meters) in length.
These salamanders are generally nocturnal and live only in wooded areas with permanent streams in the western United States.
6.1 Pacific giant salamander, Dicamptodon tenebrosus
The Pacific giant salamander is the largest terrestrial salamander in the world and lives exclusively in damp, dense forests in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
Pacific giant salamanders are unique in several ways: they growl or bark when threatened, often cause a painful bite when handled, and have been observed to climb up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) into the trees.
Adults will hibernate in the winter when weather conditions get cold enough, and have been found up to 20 feet (6 meters) underground during this time.
7. Rhyacotritonidae Family – Torrent or Seep Salamanders
The Rhyacotritonidae family includes salamanders commonly known as torrent salamanders or seep salamanders.
Species in this family are small (usually less than 8 inches [0.2 meters] in length), semi-aquatic salamanders that are only found in humid conifer forests in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Southern torrent salamanders are about 4 inches (10.16 cm) in length and can be found in the coastal regions of Oregon and Northern California.
These salamanders appear camouflaged with their speckled brown back, but have a bright yellow underside.
It can take up to four and a half years from when eggs are laid to the time Southern torrent salamanders become sexually mature adults.
Suborder Cryptobranchoidea (Giant Salamanders)
The suborder Cryptobranchoidea includes two families, outlined below.
This suborder includes the largest salamanders in the world, all of which are aquatic.
1. Cryptobranchidae Family – Giant Salamanders & Hellbenders
The Cryptobranchidae family includes giant salamanders and hellbenders.
Salamander species in this family can weigh up to 25 pounds (11 kilograms) and have a wide range of colorations, from brownish gray to yellow, green, and orange.
Cryptobranchidae salamanders are generally nocturnal and are found in montane regions of China and Japan, and in southeastern United States.
Hellbenders are the largest salamanders in North America, with adults growing up to 30 inches (0.8 meters) long.
This salamander species is completely aquatic and is greenish-brown or gray with black spots.
Hellbenders have a wrinkly body, which is used to absorb oxygen through the skin.
Respiration through the skin is the main mode of oxygen intake for hellbenders even though adults have lungs and larvae have gills.
Hellbenders were a traditional food source for Native Americans.
In the Ozarks in the eastern United States, hellbenders are endangered due to habitat destruction and stream pollution.
The largest species of salamander in the world, Chinese giant salamanders can grow up to six and a half feet (2 meters) in length.
Chinese giant salamanders are very similar to hellbenders, in that they collect oxygen solely through their skin and have a wrinkly body to increase surface area and help with oxygen absorption.
Chinese giant salamanders have a mottled gray, green, and brown body that allows them to be camouflaged with their river bottom homes.
Humans are the biggest threat to Chinese giant salamanders, as they are considered a delicacy.
2. Hynobiidae Family – Asiatic Salamanders
The Hynobiidae family includes Asiatic salamanders, with a wide range of size and habitats.
This family includes both aquatic and terrestrial salamanders, with all species undergoing a complete metamorphosis from the larval to adult phases.
Although Chinese giant salamanders and the closely related Japanese giant salamanders are only found in Asia and could be considered Asiatic salamanders, these giant species are more closely related to the hellbender and are classified as members of the Cryptobranchidae family.
CC BY-NC / Parham Beyhaghi / inaturalist.org
This salamander species is specialized to live on the slopes of montane, fishless streams in broadleaf forests and in caves in the region.
Little is known about the Persian mountain salamander because the range they inhabit is so small, although it is suspected that more than a year is spent in the larval phase and that hibernation does not occur due to year-round warm, wet conditions.
The third suborder, Sirenoidea, has only one family.
1. Sirenidae Family – Sirens
Salamanders in the Sirenidae family undergo paedomorphosis rather than a full metamorphosis between the larval and adult stages, so adult sirens have both gills and lungs.
CC BY-NC-ND / Roger Birkhead / inaturalist.org
This species grows up to 2 feet (0.6 meters) in length and has a gray body with darker spots.
Little is known about the life cycle and diet of this salamander species because they prefer murky water and spend their whole lives at the bottom of swamps.
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Salamanders have a similar life cycle as other amphibians, with phases including egg, larvae, and adult body forms.
The length of the life cycle from egg to adult depends on the species, ranging from a few months to a few years.
Most salamander species have a biphasic life cycle, meaning they have physiologically unique larval and adult phases.
Almost all species of salamanders undergo a full metamorphosis to transform from aquatic larvae to terrestrial adults.
Some species only have a partial metamorphosis called paedomorphosis and retain some larval features into adulthood.
The lifespan of a salamander ranges from 3 to 25 years, with some individuals being recorded to live up to 55 years.
Depending on their habitat, salamanders commonly eat insects, worms, snails, and other small animals.
Some species will even eat other salamanders.
Generally, prey choices are determined by what is available in their habitat and what fits inside their mouth.
Habitat and range
Most salamander species are found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with some species living in tropical ecosystems.
While there are a few exceptions, salamanders are generally abundant in temperate North America, Western Europe, Japan, and China.
The United States has the largest number of different salamander families, with nine of the ten salamander families found in the United States.
Skin colors and designs
Most salamanders have neutral brown and green coloring to provide camouflage in their forested habitats.
Many salamanders have stripes or spots in a darker color, which also enhance camouflage.
Tropical species are an exception, using brightly colored skin to warm predators of their highly toxic skin.
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All salamanders have the potential to regrow lost limbs, including legs and tails.
This behavior is most well-known in axolotls, which have been observed to regenerate not only lost tails and legs, but also some internal organs including lungs and ovaries within a matter of weeks.
This ability seems to be tied to their life cycle: when axolotl populations were large the larvae would hatch in mass, creating immediate competition upon hatching.
Their ability to regenerate helped individuals stay alive beyond the larval stage to more effectively continue population growth.
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Natural Predators of Salamanders
A salamander’s natural predator depends on its habitat.
Salamanders that live in woodlands may be prey for snakes, turtles, birds, and mammals.
Salamander species that are purely aquatic are often prey for larger fish and even frog species.
In some cases, salamanders are at the top of their food chain and have no natural predators.
This is more common for species that live in caves and other secluded habitats.
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Many salamander species will hibernate in the winter.
Like all amphibians, salamanders are cold-blooded.
Species that live in colder climates will hibernate when the temperature goes below freezing.
Most hibernating species will bury themselves underground or beneath leaf litter.
Tropical and sub-tropical species don’t need to hibernate because the warmer temperatures allow them to function normally throughout the entire year.
A few salamander species like the Iranian harlequin newt live in very dry climates and will also hibernate during the dry season.
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Salamanders have been tied to fire by early philosophers and Chinese legends, being represented as fire elementals and being said to be born of or live inside a fire.
This myth likely started in Europe as salamanders that hibernated in and under rotting logs were seen leaving fireplaces when their hibernation spots were brought in for the household’s fire.
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Environmental Threats: Habitat Loss
Around half of the salamander species in the world are listed as threatened or endangered by the IUCN, with an additional 62 species listed as near-threatened as population size decreases.
Habitat loss is the highest threat to salamander populations.
Salamanders require habitats that are usually unsuited for other uses such as woodlands, wetlands, and temporary lakes.
As these ecosystems are repurposed for agriculture, development, and other uses, salamanders have no suitable habitat left.
Habitat fragmentation and degradation also threaten salamander populations even when suitable wetlands or forests are available.
Habitats become fragmented when the original range is no longer connected, creating isolated populations and weakening the gene pool.
Habitats become degraded through deforestation and other less invasive measures that don’t completely repurpose the habitat, but make enough small changes that salamanders are no longer able to survive.
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Salamanders are being affected by climate change in regions where temperatures are increasing and precipitation is decreasing.
These warmer, drier habitats are no longer suitable for salamanders.
In these areas, salamanders that live at lower elevations have been observed to increase in body size to adapt to the warmer weather.
Salamanders that live at high elevations are associated with microclimates that are cool and damp.
These species become easily stressed when the temperature increases and the habitat becomes drier.
Climate change can also affect salamanders that live in lakes and streams.
Salamanders are very sensitive to changes in water chemistry because their skin is permeable.
As the water chemistry of these lakes and streams changes due to eutrophication (an increase of algae due to warmer temperatures) and pollution.
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