What Attracts Salamanders?

Spotted Salamanders Ambystoma maculatum in a plastic box

Salamanders are fascinating, often hidden amphibians that people rarely see. Despite their secretive nature, salamanders do emerge in certain places and conditions. This raises an important question: what attracts salamanders? Salamanders are attracted to places that stay moist, provide shade, have lots of food, and offer shelter. Wet forests, marshy areas, and spots near ponds … Read more

Why Do Salamanders Come Out When It Rains?

Northwestern Salamander Ambystoma gracile on gravel

Salamanders are secretive, soft-bodied amphibians that usually stay hidden under leaves, logs, or rocks during dry weather. But when it rains, these shy creatures suddenly appear in surprising numbers, often crossing roads or exploring the forest floor. Many people wonder: why do salamanders come out when it rains? Salamanders come out when it rains because … Read more

What Do Baby Salamanders Look Like?

Southern Long-toed Salamander larva

Salamanders are small, soft-bodied animals with smooth skin and long tails. At first glance, they can remind you of lizards, but they live very different lives. One of the most surprising things about them is how much they change as they grow. Baby salamanders don’t just look like tiny adults, they start out looking more … Read more

Why Are Salamanders Amphibians?

Jefferson Salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum swimming in a shallow pool 2

Salamanders are small, soft-bodied animals that usually live near water or in damp forests. With their long tails, slim bodies, and quiet ways, people often mistake them for lizards. But looks can be deceiving. Salamanders are not reptiles, they are amphibians. So what makes them amphibians? Salamanders are amphibians because their life cycle includes both … Read more

Do Salamanders Have Good Hearing?

Ringed Salamander Ambystoma annulatum on a yellow leaf

Salamanders are small, quiet amphibians that live in many different places. Some stay near wet forests, while others hide under rocks beside streams or ponds. Because they are so quiet and still, people sometimes wonder how they sense what is happening around them. One common question is whether salamanders have good hearing. Yes, salamanders can … Read more

How Many Fingers Do Salamanders Have?

Arboreal Salamander Aneides lugubris feet (3)

Salamanders are small, quiet amphibians with long tails, smooth skin, and narrow bodies. They often walk slowly through wet leaves, climb over damp rocks, or stay hidden under logs. That leads to a common question: how many fingers do salamanders have? Most salamanders have four fingers on each front foot and five toes on each … Read more

Why Are Salamanders Associated With Fire?

Fire Salamander in water

In quiet forests and damp hollows, salamanders live hidden lives. For centuries, people have tied them to fire. You might wonder, why are salamanders associated with fire? Salamanders became linked to fire because people saw them jumping from burning logs and thought they could survive flames. In truth, they were only escaping danger, but these … Read more

What Type Of Salamanders Can You Have As Pets?

Yellow spotted salamander

Salamanders are quiet, careful animals that like to hide in dark forests, under wet logs, or near cool streams. When you spot one in the wild or online, you might wonder: what type of salamanders can you have as pets? Some salamanders can make good pets, but only certain species. With the right setup and … Read more

Why Do Salamanders Look Like Lizards?

Western Long-toed Salamander on brown leaf

If you’ve ever seen a salamander crawling out from under a log or near a stream, your first thought might have been, “That looks like a lizard!” The long body, the tail, the short little legs, it’s easy to see why people mix them up. The reason salamanders and lizards share the same body shape … Read more

Do Salamanders Have To Stay Wet?

Dark-Sided Salamander on a wet rock

Salamanders are small amphibians that usually live in forests, near streams, or in little underground burrows. They move quietly and have soft, delicate skin, which makes them seem mysterious. One of the most common questions about these animals is whether they need to stay wet all the time. Salamanders need their skin to stay moist, … Read more