Salamanders are small, soft-bodied animals. They seem fragile, especially when the cold season arrives. You don’t see them walking around in the snow or crawling over frozen leaves. So it’s natural to wonder, do salamanders survive winter?
Salamanders do survive winter. They survive by going into a resting state called brumation. During this time, they slow their bodies down and stay hidden in moist, protected places underground, under logs, or near water where it doesn’t freeze completely.
What Happens to Salamanders in Winter?
When the temperature drops, salamanders don’t freeze solid like ice cubes. Instead, they become still and quiet.
Cold-blooded animals can’t warm themselves like mammals, so they rely on the environment to keep their bodies at safe temperatures.
In winter, salamanders enter brumation. It’s a lot like hibernation, but it works differently. Their body doesn’t shut down completely, it just slows down.
During brumation, salamanders:
- Breathe more slowly
- Stop eating
- Move very little, if at all
- Use very little energy
They don’t grow or hunt. Instead, they rest and wait. As long as they stay moist and safe from freezing, they can survive like this for weeks or even months.
Where Do Salamanders Go in the Winter?
Wild salamanders are good at disappearing. When cold weather arrives, they go searching for places where the ground won’t freeze all the way through.
These places are usually damp, quiet, and deep enough to stay just above freezing.
- Some salamanders dig down into soft soil.
- Others hide in old animal burrows.
- Some slip under piles of leaves, thick bark, or stones.
- Some find cracks between tree roots or old logs.
- Aquatic species might sink to the bottom of a pond or stream and rest in the mud.
Wherever they go, the goal is the same: stay moist, stay hidden, and stay out of the frost. A frozen salamander usually won’t survive, so they pick their spots carefully.
Can Salamanders Survive Being Frozen?
In most cases, no. Salamanders don’t do well with freezing temperatures. If ice forms inside their bodies, it can damage cells and lead to death.
That’s why most salamanders avoid freezing altogether by hiding deep underground or under thick cover.
Still, a few species can handle limited freezing.
In some woodland salamanders, small amounts of ice may form between cells without killing the animal. These salamanders can survive short, light freezes, but not deep or lasting ones.
Studies on freeze tolerance in amphibians have found that only one salamander species (the Siberian salamander) has been documented to have true freeze tolerance abilities.
Even for these hardy species, it’s not the first choice. Their bodies are built to avoid freezing, not to embrace it.
So when you see a salamander in the wild, chances are good that it survived winter by never freezing at all, just brumating in a frost-free hiding place.
What About Aquatic Salamanders?
Salamanders that live in water don’t dig or crawl under logs when winter comes. Instead, they stay in the water, and that works just fine for them.
In many ponds, rivers, and streams, the water near the bottom stays just above freezing. Even when the surface ices over, the lower layers stay safe. That’s where aquatic salamanders go.
They might nestle into the mud, rest under stones, or stay still near submerged plants. Their metabolism slows, and they stop eating. Some may still move gently now and then, but they’re in a kind of winter pause.
Water also helps them breathe. Aquatic salamanders absorb oxygen through their skin, even while brumating.
As long as the water has enough oxygen and stays cold but not frozen, they can make it through the season.
Do Salamanders Eat in the Winter?
No. Brumating salamanders don’t eat. Their body systems slow down so much that they don’t need food. They survive by using the fat they stored during the warm months.
Before winter arrives, salamanders eat more to build up reserves. Then, once they find a good spot to rest, they stop hunting and wait.
As spring nears, the warming air and softening soil tell them it’s time to move again, and that’s when they start eating once more.
This cycle happens every year. Eat and grow when it’s warm. Sleep and hide when it’s cold.
What Happens If Winter Is Too Harsh?
Sometimes, winter is harder than expected. If the ground freezes deeper than usual, or if the salamander’s hiding spot dries out, trouble can happen.
If a salamander can’t find a moist, frost-free shelter, it may not survive the season.
Research on amphibian winter survival shows that freezing temperatures, dry conditions, or human disturbances (like digging up logs or removing leaf litter) can ruin safe hiding places.
Even sudden warm spells can cause problems. If a salamander wakes up too early and starts moving before insects return, it might not find enough food.
But salamanders are survivors. They’ve made it through thousands of winters. They know how to hide, how to rest, and how to wait for the right time.
Can You See Salamanders in Winter?
Not usually. Salamanders are hidden deep underground, tucked inside logs, or buried in pond mud. They stay out of sight during the coldest part of the year.
In some mild winters, or during a sudden warm rain, you might see one move. But that’s rare. Most salamanders stay hidden until spring really returns.
If you do see one, it’s best to leave it alone. It’s likely confused by the weather and still needs rest.
Do Pet Salamanders Need to Brumate?
That depends on the species. Some salamanders come from warm climates and don’t need winter rest. Others are from temperate zones and may benefit from a cooler, slower season.
In captivity, brumation isn’t always needed. But some keepers choose to mimic natural seasons by slightly lowering temperatures and feeding less during winter.
If your salamander is from a region with cold winters, light brumation might help. But never expose your pet to freezing temperatures.
Unlike wild salamanders, they can’t dig deep or find shelter in soil.
Research your salamander’s needs before making changes. And always monitor temperature, moisture, and health carefully.
How Can You Help Wild Salamanders in Winter?
If you have salamanders in your area, there are simple ways to help them survive winter safely.
- Leave leaf litter, bark, and old logs in place. These natural shelters give salamanders somewhere to hide.
- Don’t rake too deeply in the fall or winter – you could disturb animals resting beneath.
- Avoid using salt or harsh chemicals near streams or ponds. These can seep into salamander habitats and do harm.
- Try not to over-clear natural areas. Salamanders need moisture and cover to survive.
Even small choices in your yard or garden can give salamanders a better chance to rest, hide, and survive the cold.
Conclusion
Salamanders do survive winter. They don’t freeze like ice or vanish into thin air. Instead, they go into brumation, a slow, quiet resting state that helps them live through the cold without food or movement.
Some dig deep into soil. Others settle at the bottom of ponds. But they all rely on moisture, shelter, and stillness.
You may not see them during the cold months, but they’re there, sleeping under logs, buried in mud, or curled in leaf litter, waiting for the spring sun to warm the world again.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.