Can Salamanders Be Out Of Water?

Salamanders are quiet, slippery creatures that move slowly through damp leaves, moss, and shallow streams. They’re often found near water, tucked under wet logs or hiding beside ponds. But sometimes, you might see one walking on land, far from any visible water source. That leads to a simple question, can salamanders actually be out of water?

Yes, some salamanders can live out of water. But it depends on the species. While a few stay fully aquatic their entire lives, many can survive on land, as long as their skin stays moist.

Salamanders don’t all live the same way. Some swim in water all the time. Others walk through the forest floor and only return to water to breed.

And some switch back and forth. But even the ones that leave the water still depend on moisture. Dry skin stops them from breathing properly.

So while some salamanders can live out of water, they can’t live in dry places.

Not All Salamanders Are the Same

Salamanders come in many shapes, sizes, and lifestyles. Some live in lakes and streams, some live under logs, and some do both. Their bodies have adapted to different habitats over time.

Aquatic salamanders live fully in water. They have gills and never come onto land.

Terrestrial salamanders live on land but still need wet places. They breathe through their skin and sometimes their lungs.

Semi-aquatic salamanders start life in water and move to land later. They often return to water to breed.

So whether a salamander can be out of water depends on which group it belongs to. It’s not just about water, it’s about moisture, air, skin, and species.

How Salamanders Breathe Outside of Water

Many salamanders breathe through their skin. Their skin is thin and full of tiny blood vessels. Oxygen passes through the skin and into the blood, while carbon dioxide comes out the same way. This process is called cutaneous respiration.

But for it to work, the skin must be moist. If a salamander dries out, it can’t absorb oxygen, and it starts to suffocate. This is true even for land-dwelling species. So being out of water is not the problem, being dry is.

That’s why even terrestrial salamanders live in cool, damp places. They hide under leaves, logs, rocks, or inside damp soil. These areas protect them from the sun and wind and help them keep their skin wet.

Some salamanders also use lungs to breathe air, but their lungs are small and simple. Skin breathing still does most of the work.

So while many salamanders live out of water, none can survive without moisture.

Aquatic Salamanders Must Stay in Water

Some salamanders never leave the water. These include species like axolotls, sirens, and mudpuppies. They have gills, soft skin, and long tails made for swimming.

Aquatic salamanders rely on water for everything. They breathe through gills and skin. They can’t breathe air well, if at all. Their skin dries out quickly on land, and they can’t move properly outside of water.

If taken out of water, they may survive for a few minutes in humid air, but not for long. The gills collapse and dry out. The skin loses moisture. Breathing slows down, then stops.

That’s why aquatic salamanders should always be kept in water. Their tank needs clean, cool, oxygen-rich water at all times. Even short trips onto land can be harmful.

So for fully aquatic species, the answer is no. They cannot be out of water and survive.

Some Salamanders Live on Land Just Fine

Other salamanders live almost entirely on land. These include many from the Plethodontidae family, also known as lungless salamanders.

These salamanders don’t have lungs or gills. They rely completely on skin breathing. Their moist environment allows oxygen to enter through the skin, and carbon dioxide to leave.

They do not need to live in ponds or streams. Instead, they stay in damp forests, under logs, rocks, or moss. They often come out at night when the air is cooler and wetter.

As long as the air stays humid and their hiding spots stay moist, they can live far from water. But if their environment dries out, they’re in trouble.

So land salamanders can be out of water, but they still need moisture to breathe.

Semi-Aquatic Salamanders Do Both

Some salamanders start in water and later move onto land. These include species like tiger salamanders and spotted salamanders.

They hatch in water and grow gills as larvae. Later, they go through metamorphosis. Their gills shrink. Lungs develop. Their skin thickens. They leave the water and move onto land.

As adults, they live underground or under leaf litter. They only return to water during breeding season.

These salamanders are built for both land and water. They can survive out of water just fine, as long as their surroundings stay cool and moist.

So yes, these species can be out of water, and often prefer it that way.

Can You Handle a Salamander Out of Water?

It depends. If your salamander is a land-dwelling species, you may need to move it now and then. But you still need to be gentle.

Wet your hands first. Dry fingers can damage their skin.

Keep the handling short. Even land salamanders don’t enjoy being picked up.

Avoid bright light, warm air, or wind. These things dry out their skin.

If your salamander is aquatic, don’t take it out of water unless absolutely necessary, and even then, only for a few seconds.

Even when taking photos or inspecting your pet, it’s best to do it in a humid, safe spot.

What Happens in the Wild?

In nature, many salamanders leave the water as they grow older. They hatch in temporary ponds, grow strong enough to crawl, and then move to the forest floor.

Some species return to water each year to breed. Others never return at all.

And some, like axolotls, stay in the water forever. They never develop lungs and never lose their gills due to a fascinating biological phenomenon called neoteny.

Each species has its own path. Some stay in streams. Some live in soil. Some switch back and forth with the seasons.

But all of them rely on moisture. Whether they’re in a pond or under a log, salamanders need water in some form (either around them or inside them) to stay alive.

Conclusion

Yes, some salamanders can live out of water. But not all of them can. It depends on the species.

Aquatic salamanders must stay in water to breathe. Terrestrial salamanders can live on land but need moisture to survive.

Semi-aquatic salamanders do both, moving from ponds to forests as they grow.

Being out of water is fine, but being dry is not. Without wet skin, a salamander can’t breathe, no matter where it lives.