Salamanders are the only amphibians that have tails in the adult stage of their life. Like Lizards, salamanders can lose part of most of their tail, and subsequently regenerate it. But have you ever wondered why this happens? The main reason salamanders lose their tails is to defend themselves when they are grabbed by a … Read more
Amphibians are a diverse group of species found in a wide variety of habitats, from rain forests to mountainous areas, to dry regions. But have you ever wondered if amphibians can be found in the ocean, or in other marine environments? The majority of amphibian species can not live in saltwater because salt tends to … Read more
When most people see their first salamander, they call it a lizard. However, on closer examination, most notice that these creatures are nothing like Lizards. They have smooth, moist skin, much like frogs. This is because salamanders are amphibians closer to frogs than they are to lizards. Like most amphibians, salamanders produce poisonous secretions as … Read more
Salamanders are quiet, slow-moving amphibians that often hide near ponds, under logs, or in damp forests. If you’ve ever seen your dog sniff or nip at one, you might have wondered: could a salamander actually hurt or even kill your dog? No, salamanders won’t kill dogs under normal circumstances. Some species make toxins to protect … Read more
The state of Oklahoma is home to at least 24 different species and subspecies of salamanders. Most of these salamanders are terrestrial, which means they live on land. But there are also several fully aquatic salamander species. Terrestrial salamanders prefer to live in moist habitats and are typically found in shady, forested areas, not far from … Read more
Almost everyone who sees them agrees that newts are endearing little creatures. They make amusing pets and are relatively easy to maintain. However, many people have misconceptions about these little amphibians. So, can newts swim? All newts can swim. They are semi-aquatic creatures (they live both on land and in the water) as adults and … Read more
Blue-spotted salamanders are colorful amphibians found in parts of the eastern United States and Canada. These salamanders are easily identifiable by the beautiful bluish-white spots and flecks on their bluish-black skin. But what do blue-spotted salamanders eat? Blue-spotted salamanders are opportunistic carnivores with a very diverse diet. In the wild, they eat worms, snails, slugs, centipedes, spiders, … Read more
The state of Wisconsin is home to 8 species of salamanders. 7 of these species are terrestrial, which means they live on land, but there is also one fully aquatic species. Of the terrestrial salamander species, the red-backed salamander is considered the most abundant of Wisconsin’s salamanders (in its range). These salamanders can be found … Read more
The state of Minnesota is home to eight species of salamanders. Seven of these species are terrestrial, which means they live on land, but there is also one fully aquatic species. Most terrestrial salamander species typically inhabit shady, forested areas, not far from a water source – and often hide in moist locations such as … Read more
If you live in Texas and love salamanders, you’re indeed fortunate because there are plenty of different salamander species in this region. In fact, there have been recordings of at least 28 different species of salamander in the state of Texas. Most of these salamanders are terrestrial, which means they live on land. But there … Read more