Do Salamanders Bite?

Small mouth salamander on a hand

Salamanders are intriguing creatures and are relatively easy to care for. This makes them a popular pet among amphibian enthusiasts. Should you ever be worried about being bitten by a salamander? Salamanders are known to bite. However, you shouldn’t be too worried about being bitten by a salamander, because they are very docile creatures that … Read more

Are Salamanders Warm or Cold-Blooded?

Salamander on a green leaf

In the winter, we don’t see many salamanders or other amphibians around. This is because salamanders cannot internally control their body temperature, so it is at the mercy of the temperatures in their environment. Salamanders are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature. Their body temperature changes as the temperature in … Read more

What Do Salamanders Eat? The Ultimate Guide

Eastern red-backed salamander eating a worm

Most salamanders are carnivores, which means they eat only animal protein. Their exact diet will depend on their size, age, their habitat, and the part of the world they live in. Generally, salamanders eat worms, slugs, and a wide variety of insects in the wild. In addition, large salamanders are capable of eating mice, baby … Read more

Can Salamanders Breathe Underwater? [Answered]

Fire salamander in the water

We all know that salamanders and newts love to spend a great deal of their time in the water. You may have seen a salamander in a pond or stream and wondered, can salamanders breathe underwater? Different salamander species have different ways of breathing. Some salamanders, such as axolotls and sirens have gills and can … Read more

How Long Can Salamanders Stay Underwater? [4 Factors]

How long can salamanders stay underwater

We all know that salamanders love to spend a lot of their time in or around streams, ponds, or other water bodies. During the breeding season, it is common to see hundreds of salamanders migrating to ponds where they can swim freely and lay their eggs. But how long can salamanders stay underwater? Salamander larvae … Read more

Do Salamanders Hibernate? [Wild and Captive Hibernation]  

Salamander on ice

Salamanders are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals, which means they can’t generate their own internal body heat. Instead, their body temperature changes with that of their surroundings. Due to this, salamanders become less active in the winter when the temperatures drop. Terrestrial salamanders hibernate in logs or underground burrows when their environment gets too cold. Many aquatic … Read more

Are Marbled Salamanders Poisonous to Humans, Dogs, or Cats?

Marbled salamander on moss

Marbled salamanders are common throughout much of the eastern United States. These secretive amphibians are easy to identify by the silvery cross bands along their bodies.  Marbled Salamanders have poison glands on their tails that produce a foul-tasting secretion as a defense against predators. This secretion is only mildly poisonous and is of no serious … Read more

Can Salamanders Survive or Withstand a Fire?

Salamanders are not fireproof

Salamanders are very secretive creatures. Due to this, several myths and legends have arisen about them over the centuries. Many ancient people believed that salamanders were fireproof and so cold-blooded that their bodies could extinguish the flames themselves. However, most of these legends are untrue. Salamanders are not fireproof and can not withstand fire. Being … Read more

What Spotted Salamanders Do and Don’t Eat: Ultimate Guide

what spotted salamanders eat

Spotted salamanders are colorful amphibians found in parts of the eastern United States and Canada. These salamanders are easily identifiable by their bluish-black skin, and the beautiful yellow spots extending from their head to tail. But what do spotted salamanders eat? Spotted salamanders are opportunistic carnivores that will eat almost any prey that can fit … Read more

Are Fire Belly Newts Poisonous to Humans or Pets?

Fire belly newts, (sometimes called Fire-Bellied Newts) are originally from Asia and are one of the most popular non-native newts kept as pets in the United States. These newts are actually two different species, but they are so similar that they are often referred to as a single species. But are fire belly newts poisonous? … Read more