The state of Michigan is home to at least 13 different species of salamanders – with some of the most common being the red-backed salamander, and the blue-spotted salamander. Most of Michigan’s salamanders are terrestrial, which means they live on land. But there are also a few fully aquatic salamander species. Most terrestrial salamander species … Read more
Tiger Salamanders are one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in the world. These beautiful amphibians can grow to be over 13 inches long and make great pets. Though a popular pet, many still wonder if tiger salamanders are poisonous. Tiger salamanders produce mildly poisonous secretions from special glands on their tail, which makes them taste … Read more
If you live in Florida 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 33 different salamander species in the state of Florida. Some of these salamanders are semi-aquatic (they live both on land and in the water), … Read more
There are over 600 salamander species around the world. Most of these salamanders reproduce by laying eggs, usually in the water, but some species lay their eggs on land. There are salamander species lay as few as 6 eggs, but others can lay over 300 eggs in one breeding season! Some salamander species such as … Read more
Long-toed salamanders are fairly small amphibians found in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. These salamanders get their name from the very long fourth toe on their hind feet, and can easily be identified by the bright green stripe that runs along their back. But what do long-toed salamanders eat? Like most salamanders, long-toed … Read more
Ohio is home to 24 salamander species, with the most common species being the spotted salamander and the red-backed salamander among others. These salamanders are silent, and spend most of the year hibernating, or hiding under rocks, logs, and other debris, so people rarely see them. You are most likely to encounter one of these … Read more
Newts are endearing little creatures that are fun to observe in the wild and make amusing pets. While they seem defenseless when it comes to fending off hungry predators, they have a few tricks to keep predators away. But are newts poisonous? All newts produce poisonous secretions that make them distasteful or lethal to most … Read more
Many people know that newts love to spend a lot of their time in streams, ponds, and other water bodies. During the winter, they will sometimes even hibernate at the very bottom of ponds to protect themselves from the frost. But how long can newts stay underwater? Newt larvae (baby newts) have gills and can … Read more
Like most salamanders, spotted salamanders (sometimes called yellow-spotted salamanders) reproduce by laying eggs. These eggs are laid in the water and attached to twigs, grass, or other vegetation just slightly below the surface of the water. Many spotted salamanders may lay eggs in the same place, so it is common to find dozens of egg … Read more
Eastern newts (sometimes called eastern red-spotted newts) are found across much of the eastern united states and up into Canada. These newts are easy to identify by their olive-green coloration and the black-bordered red spots along their back. But are eastern newts poisonous? Eastern red-spotted newts produce a highly poisonous toxin known as tetrodotoxin as … Read more