Can You Adopt A Salamander?

Northern Slimy Salamander Plethodon glutinosus 1

Salamanders move quietly through wet leaves and soft soil. They rarely draw attention. With their smooth skin, slow pace, and secretive ways, they seem almost invisible. Yet some people find them fascinating and wonder: can you adopt a salamander? Yes, you can adopt a salamander, but only certain species and only if you follow legal … Read more

What Are Juvenile Salamanders Called?

Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale on a transparent floor

Salamanders are amphibians with unusual lifecycles. They start as eggs, then grow into larvae, juveniles, and finally adults. Each stage looks and behaves differently, which can confuse people who are not familiar with the terms. So, what are young salamanders called during these early stages of life? While still in water and breathing through gills, … Read more

Why Are There Salamanders In My House?

Eastern Red-backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus on a wooden table

Salamanders are interesting amphibians that usually live outside in moist forests, wetlands, and near streams. But sometimes, people find them inside their homes. Why do salamanders come indoors? Does it mean something is wrong? Most salamanders that come inside are looking for moisture, shelter, or cooler temperatures. Their presence usually shows that damp areas are … Read more

Why Are Salamanders Indicator Species?

Do Salamanders Need Light?

Salamanders are amazing animals that live in forests, wetlands, and streams. They have moist skin that lets them absorb water and breathe in part through it. You might wonder what makes them special, and why people say salamanders are good signs of environmental health. Salamanders are indicator species because their presence, how many there are, … Read more

What Salamanders Are Fully Aquatic?

Western Lesser Siren Siren nettingi in a pond

Salamanders are quiet, secretive creatures that tend to avoid attention. They live in damp forests, under rocks, or near streams, moving slowly and carefully through their surroundings. This leads to a clear question: what salamanders are fully aquatic, and how do they live differently from the rest? Fully aquatic salamanders include axolotls, sirens, amphiumas, mudpuppies, … Read more

Where Did Fire Salamanders Get Their Name?

Fire Salamander in water

Fire salamanders are some of the most well-known salamanders because of their bright black and yellow colors. Their bold patterns often make people think of fire and flames. But have you ever wondered where their name came from? Fire salamanders got their name from their bright yellow and black colors. These colors look like flickering … Read more

What Do Salamander Tadpoles Look Like?

Salamanders start their lives as larvae with feathery gills

Salamanders are quiet, secretive animals that often stay hidden in wet forests, cool streams, and muddy soil. They move slowly and carefully, blending in with the world around them. Like frogs, many salamanders begin life in the water. But instead of hatching as small frogs, they hatch as something different. They start their lives as … Read more

What Do Salamanders Use To Breathe?

Spotted Salamander on a leaf

Salamanders are soft-skinned animals that live in very damp places like forests, streams, and below-ground burrows. They move quietly and avoid dry, open areas. One of the most unusual things about salamanders is how they breathe. Salamanders can breathe using gills, lungs, their skin, or the thin lining inside their mouths, depending on their age … Read more

Why Do Salamanders Breathe Through Their Skin?

Red Salamander

Salamanders are different from many other animals because they don’t just breathe with lungs. They also breathe through their skin. This ability helps them survive in places where oxygen is low or where regular lung breathing would be hard. But why do salamanders breathe through their skin? Salamanders breathe through their skin because it lets … Read more

What Do Salamanders Use For Hearing?

Eastern Red-backed Salamander on forest floor

Salamanders are small, quiet animals that live in wet places like forests, ponds, and underground tunnels. They move slowly and stay out of sight, making it hard to know what they see, smell, or hear. One thing that many people notice when they look at a salamander is the lack of ears. They have no … Read more