Do Salamanders Yawn?

Western Slimy Salamander Plethodon albagula on green moss 1

If you’ve ever watched a salamander sitting still in its enclosure or spotted one moving quietly through the wild, you might notice it suddenly open its mouth wide. For a second or two, it might look just like a yawn. Salamanders don’t yawn the way people or dogs do. They don’t open their mouths because … Read more

Do Salamanders Have Claws Or Nails?

Young Western Tiger Salamander Ambystoma mavortium (2)

When you look closely at a salamander, especially one that spends time on land, you might notice its small feet and tiny toes. They may look like they should have claws or nails, especially since many animals that walk or dig do. But when it comes to salamanders, things are a little different. No, salamanders … Read more

Do Salamanders Have Scales?

Do Salamanders Need Light?

Salamanders are often confused with lizards, especially when you see their long bodies, small legs, and smooth, shiny skin. But even though they look a bit like reptiles at first glance, salamanders are actually amphibians. And that makes a big difference when it comes to what covers their bodies. No, salamanders do not have scales. … Read more

Do Salamanders Grow Their Limbs Back?

Axolotl in a bucket

If you’ve ever seen a salamander in the wild or kept one as a pet, you might already know that they’re not like most animals. But one of the most surprising things about salamanders is their ability to regrow lost body parts. Yes, salamanders can grow their limbs back. If they lose a leg, tail, … Read more

Do Salamanders Get Cancer?

Unisexual Mole Salamander on wet ground

Salamanders are small, quiet animals that live in wet, cool places like under rocks or logs after it rains. They look gentle and harmless. But can salamanders get cancer? Yes, salamanders can get cancer, just like other animals. But it doesn’t happen very often, and researchers are still trying to understand why. In fact, some … Read more

What Happens If You Eat A Salamander?

Do Salamanders Eat Plants?

Salamanders are quiet, secretive animals that live in damp places like forests, wetlands, and under rocks. Most people don’t think of them as food. But in some parts of the world, or in survival stories, you might hear about people eating them. That might make you wonder, what actually happens if someone eats a salamander? … Read more

Can You Eat Salamanders?

Group of Ringed Salamander Ambystoma annulatum in a container

Salamanders are small, quiet animals that live in damp forests, streams, and wetlands. They spend most of their time hiding under leaves, rocks, or logs. You probably don’t think of them as food. But in some places or during survival situations, someone might wonder: can you eat a salamander? No, you shouldn’t eat salamanders. Even … Read more

Do Salamanders Hurt You?

Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale on green moss

Salamanders are small, quiet animals that often slip away before you even get close. They don’t hiss or snap. They don’t puff up or try to scare you. But if you’re not used to them, you might still stop and wonder, can a salamander hurt you? Salamanders do not hurt people. They don’t bite in … Read more

Do Salamanders Have An Exoskeleton?

Small-mouthed Salamander Ambystoma texanum underside

When you look at a salamander, it might seem soft, bendy, and squishy. It doesn’t have a shell like a crab or a hard, crunchy body like a beetle. Its skin is smooth, damp, and flexible. So you might wonder, does this animal have an exoskeleton? No, salamanders do not have an exoskeleton. They have … Read more

Do Salamanders Survive Winter?

Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum on a dry log 1

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 … Read more