Can Salamanders Drown?

Salamanders are small amphibians that many people find fascinating. They live in forests, near streams, and in damp places all over the world. But one question that comes up often is: can salamanders drown?

Yes, salamanders can drown. Although many live in or near water, not all of them are built to stay submerged for long. Depending on the species and how they breathe, some salamanders can survive underwater for a while, while others may quickly run out of oxygen and drown.

Some Salamanders Breathe Through Gills, Others Don’t

Many salamanders begin life in water, breathing through external gills much like a fish. These young salamanders are fully aquatic and can spend long periods underwater without any issues.

But as they grow, some salamanders undergo changes. They lose their gills and grow lungs, which they use to breathe air just like land animals.

These salamanders must surface regularly and are more likely to drown if they stay underwater too long.

Then there are lungless salamanders. These strange amphibians don’t have lungs or gills at all. Instead, they breathe entirely through their skin and the tissues inside their mouths. This means they can survive in damp environments but still need access to air and moist conditions to keep their skin functional.

Not all salamanders are built the same way. This is why some can spend hours underwater, while others could drown in just a few minutes if they can’t reach the surface.

Salamanders Need Water, But It Can Be Dangerous

Even though salamanders need moisture to survive, too much water (or being in the wrong kind of water) can be dangerous.

Salamanders with lungs, for example, can drown if they become trapped underwater and can’t get to the surface. This might happen if one falls into a deep pool or becomes stuck under debris.

Even salamanders with gills can get into trouble. If the water they are in becomes polluted, too warm, or lacks enough oxygen, they may begin to struggle to breathe, and could eventually drown.

Water is essential for salamander survival, but it has to be the right kind of water.

Lungless Salamanders Are Especially Sensitive

Lungless salamanders are a unique group that breathe through their skin and mouth lining. Because they rely so heavily on moist skin for oxygen exchange, their bodies are very sensitive to changes in humidity, water quality, and temperature.

While they can absorb oxygen directly from water, they are not well-suited to deep or oxygen-poor environments. If they remain submerged for too long in water without enough oxygen, they may suffocate, effectively drowning.

Their skin must stay clean and moist, which makes them especially vulnerable to pollution, dirty water, or even slight changes in their environment.

What Makes a Salamander Drown?

Whether or not a salamander drowns depends on a few key factors:

• Species and breathing method – Salamanders with lungs need air. If they can’t reach the surface, they can drown. Gilled species can stay underwater but still depend on oxygen levels in the water. Lungless salamanders rely on clean, moist skin to breathe.
• Oxygen levels in water – If the water is stagnant or warm, it holds less oxygen. Salamanders may struggle to breathe and could drown even in shallow pools.
• Polluted or toxic water – Harmful chemicals or bacteria in the water can damage a salamander’s skin or gills, making it harder to absorb oxygen.
• Physical trapping – If a salamander becomes trapped beneath something or caught in an area without access to air, it could drown, even if it’s a good swimmer.

Just because salamanders live near water doesn’t mean they are immune to its dangers.

Salamanders Are Very Sensitive to Their Environment

Salamanders breathe through skin that is thin and delicate. This helps them absorb oxygen and moisture, but it also makes them extremely vulnerable.

If the water is too warm, has too many nutrients, or contains pollutants like ammonia or pesticides, salamanders can get sick. Their gills and skin may stop working properly, leaving them gasping for air.

In these cases, even an aquatic salamander may begin to show signs of stress. If they can’t move to cleaner, oxygen-rich water, they can drown.

This is one reason why amphibians like salamanders are considered environmental indicators; their health is closely tied to the health of their habitat.

Pet Salamanders Can Drown Too

If you keep salamanders in captivity, it’s important to understand their needs. Some people assume that salamanders can live in water all the time, but this isn’t true for all species.

Some captive salamanders need mostly land with only a shallow water dish. Others need part water and part land (a setup known as a paludarium).

Aquatic species like axolotls need well-oxygenated water with filters and temperature control.

Putting a land-dwelling salamander into deep water could cause panic, exhaustion, and drowning.

If you’re not sure what kind of salamander you have, it’s best to do your research or ask an expert before placing it in a water-heavy environment.

Signs a Salamander Is Struggling in Water

If a salamander is in danger of drowning, there are some signs to look for:

• It’s swimming frantically or floating oddly.
• It seems sluggish or is staying still for too long.
• It’s showing signs of distress, such as gulping at the surface or trying to escape the water.
• It appears limp or is lying at the bottom without movement.

These symptoms mean the salamander may be stressed, suffocating, or already in respiratory trouble. Immediate action is needed to remove the animal from the water and assess its condition.

How to Prevent Drowning in Salamanders

If you want to keep salamanders safe (whether in the wild or in a tank) here are a few key precautions:

• Make sure captive enclosures match the needs of the species.
• Avoid deep water unless your salamander is aquatic.
• Keep water clean and well-oxygenated.
• Always provide easy exits from any water source, like rocks or sloped land.
• Watch for signs of distress if your salamander spends time in water.

Even though some salamanders live in water, they still need help staying safe in it.

Can Salamanders Survive Underwater for Long?

Some salamanders, like axolotls, can stay underwater their entire lives. They are fully aquatic and never need to breathe air.

Others, like tiger salamanders, live both in water and on land. They can swim, but they cannot live submerged forever.

Lungless salamanders, while not true aquatic species, can survive for a while in damp environments (even in shallow water) but not deep or stagnant water.

How long a salamander can stay underwater depends on how it breathes, what kind of water it’s in, and whether it has access to oxygen.

Conclusion

So yes, salamanders can drown, even though many of them live in or near water. It depends on how they breathe, what kind of water they are in, and how long they stay underwater.

Some salamanders have gills and are built for life in the water. Others need air to breathe or have specialized skin that only works in moist, clean environments.

If they stay underwater too long, or if the water is too polluted or low in oxygen, they can run into serious trouble.