Can Salamanders Climb? (Explained)

When we think of animals that climb, we usually picture monkeys swinging through trees or squirrels racing up tree trunks. But there’s another kind of animal you might not expect to be a good climber: the salamander.

Yes, some salamanders can climb, and they can be surprisingly good at it. Not all species are climbers, but many of them have bodies built for gripping, crawling, and even scaling vertical surfaces. Their climbing skills depend on their size, their habitat, and the shape of their toes.

Why Would a Salamander Climb?

Let’s start with a simple question: why climb at all?

Most people picture salamanders walking along the ground, hiding under rocks, or swimming in shallow water. That’s true for many of them.

But salamanders live in all kinds of habitats, and some of those habitats include trees, tall plants, rocks, and moss-covered walls.

In those places, climbing can help a salamander find food, escape predators, or reach moist spots where they can stay cool and hydrated.

In nature, climbing is often a survival skill. If a salamander lives in a wet forest where the ground dries out, it may crawl up a tree to reach damp bark or moss.

If insects are hiding in the cracks of tree trunks, a salamander might climb to catch them. And if a snake or a bird is hunting nearby, climbing may help the salamander slip away into a safe place.

So even though salamanders aren’t the first animals you think of when it comes to climbing, many of them have real reasons to do it.

Not All Salamanders Are the Same

Now, it’s important to know that not all salamanders are built for climbing. There are over 700 different species of salamanders in the world, and they don’t all live the same way.

Some salamanders are fully aquatic. They never leave the water and have no need to climb. Others spend most of their time underground, hiding in tunnels or moist soil.

These salamanders don’t usually climb much either.

But then there are arboreal salamanders (that means tree-dwelling).

These are the ones you want to pay attention to when asking about climbing.

They live in trees, mossy rocks, or forest walls, and they have strong legs and special toe pads that help them hold on as they climb.

Salamanders That Climb

Here are a few types of salamanders that are especially good at climbing:

1. Aneides lugubris – The Arboreal Salamander

This salamander lives in California and parts of Mexico. It’s one of the best-known climbers. It has strong, muscular legs and toes that help it grip tree bar

k. People have found them several feet up in trees, hiding in crevices or clinging to the sides of wooden fences.

2. Plethodontid Salamanders – The Lungless Climbers

This is a large group of salamanders that breathe through their skin instead of lungs. Many of them live in moist forests, and several are great climbers.

Some live in trees, while others cling to rocks, logs, and even walls near streams. Their moist skin helps them stick to surfaces, and their flexible bodies make it easy to crawl into cracks and crevices.

3. Bolitoglossa Species – The Climbing Salamanders of Central and South America

These salamanders have webbed feet and sticky toe pads. They’re known for living in tropical forests, often climbing up into vegetation and staying hidden in the leaves.

Their climbing skills help them survive in humid, high-up areas that stay damp even during dry seasons.

So while some salamanders are poor climbers, others have evolved to become expert tree crawlers.

How Do Salamanders Climb?

Let’s take a closer look at the “how.” Salamanders don’t have claws like a cat or sticky toe pads like a gecko, so how do they manage to climb?

It mostly comes down to three things:

1. Toe Pads and Digits

Some salamanders, like the Bolitoglossa species, have wide, sticky toe pads that help them grip smooth or damp surfaces. Others have long toes that spread out and grip bark, moss, or small ledges.

2. Moist Skin

Moist skin might sound like a disadvantage, but it actually helps salamanders cling to surfaces. Their skin stays slightly sticky, especially in damp environments, which adds friction and helps them hold on.

3. Strong Legs and Bodies

Climbing takes muscle. Salamanders that climb tend to have strong, flexible limbs and sturdy bodies. They can push themselves upward or stretch from one spot to another without falling.

The combination of grip, stickiness, and strength makes climbing possible, even without claws or suction cups.

Research has shown that many salamander species can cling fully inverted using only a portion of their ventral surface area to attach.

Can Pet Salamanders Climb?

If you have a pet salamander, you might be wondering if you need to worry about it climbing out of its tank.

The answer depends on the type of salamander you have. Most common pet species, like tiger salamanders or axolotls, do not climb. They are ground dwellers or aquatic, and they don’t have the right body shape for climbing walls.

However, some species can and will climb, especially if the tank has plants, sticks, or textured surfaces. Climbing can be a way for a salamander to explore, find cooler areas, or look for food.

If you own a climbing species, make sure your tank has:

• A secure lid
• Vertical features like bark or branches
• Moist, non-slippery surfaces
• Plenty of hiding spots up high and down low

Also, keep in mind that salamanders can fall. If your salamander climbs and slips, it could get hurt. So you want to design the tank in a way that keeps them safe.

Should You Handle a Climbing Salamander?

Climbing doesn’t mean your salamander wants to be held. Most salamanders (climbers or not) don’t enjoy being touched too much. Their skin is sensitive and dries out easily. Even a small amount of oil or salt from your hand can harm them.

So even if your salamander crawls up walls or branches, it’s best to watch and enjoy from a distance. Give it safe things to climb on, but avoid handling it unless necessary for cleaning or health checks.

Can Salamanders Climb Glass?

This is a common question for pet owners. Glass is smooth and dry; two things salamanders don’t grip well.

Most salamanders can’t climb glass, but a few light-bodied species may manage to inch their way up if the glass is slightly wet or if there’s some texture from mist or algae.

However, most glass enclosures are safe from escape as long as the sides are clean and the lid is secure.

Still, it’s a good idea to check now and then, especially if you have a known climber in the tank. When setting up a proper terrarium, ensure you have adequate ventilation and secure covering.

What About Wild Salamanders?

If you’re out in nature and see a salamander on a tree trunk or clinging to a rock wall, that’s perfectly normal.

In fact, it’s a good sign. It means the local habitat is still wet and wild enough for these amazing climbers to thrive.

Interestingly, research has shown that ground and tree salamanders often have similar diets, suggesting that climbing behavior may serve purposes beyond just finding food.

Just remember: never remove wild salamanders from their environment. Climbing salamanders often depend on very specific habitats, ones with the right amount of moisture, shade, and plant life.

Taking them out of that balance can hurt both the animal and the local ecosystem.

Conclusion

Yes, many salamanders can climb, and some are especially good at it. Tree-dwelling species use their long toes, moist skin, and strong bodies to crawl up trees, rocks, and logs.

Others prefer to stay low or underground, but even they might occasionally climb when conditions are right.

If you’re keeping a salamander as a pet, make sure you know its species and what kind of environment it prefers. When creating the perfect salamander habitat, consider whether your species requires vertical climbing space.

Some will appreciate vertical features and damp bark. Others just want soft ground and a place to dig. For proper salamander and newt care, understanding your pet’s natural behaviors is essential for their health and wellbeing.