Salamander begins life in the water but lives its adult life on land. They are amphibians that look like a cross between lizard and frog. Their skin is smooth, moist, and slender with long tails. There are different types of salamanders, some have two legs and some have four legs, some have lungs, some have gills, and some have neither and they breathe through their skin. Read on to discover some interesting Salamander facts.
Salamander of Texas
Salamanders in Texas are very rare. Austin, a city in Texas is home to three rare species of aquatic salamanders that occur only in that area and nowhere else in the world. The Barton Springs Salamander, Austin Blind Salamanders, and the Jollyville Plateau Salamander are the three species. Blind salamanders are cave-dwelling troglobite amphibians native to Hays County, Texas. The salamander has blood-red external gills for absorbing oxygen from water. It eats anything that moves and a mature salamander’s length is 13 cm (5 in).
Facts about Salamanders:
Interesting Abilities of Salamander
Salamanders can see in the dark. They are survivors. Somehow they are able to navigate well in the dark with their tiny eyes. They come out during the night time to hunt slugs, snails, worms, and crawling insects. They can live more than a decade in the wild by laying low, keeping out of sight, and warning attackers with bright, bold color patterns.
1. Are Salamanders Fast?
- A. Yes
- B. No
North America Consists of More Than 150 Salamander Species
North America is home to more than 150 salamander species and there are yet more species to discover. Research says that, most likely 48 percent of all known salamander reptiles live in North and Central America.
The Mexican Salamander or Axolotl Stays Young Forever
Unlike other salamander species, the Mexican salamander keeps its juvenile features into adulthood. This type is called neoteny, which means it keeps its tadpole-like dorsal fins- which runs almost the length of its body, and its feathery external gills, which protrude from the back of its wide head.
Salamanders Are Carnivores
Salamanders are carnivores, which means they eat meat. They prefer other slow-moving prey, such as worms, slugs, and snails. Some larger types eat fish, small crustaceans, and insects. Some salamanders eat frogs, mice, and even other salamanders.
Salamanders Lay up to 450 Eggs at a Time
Did you know that Salamander reptiles lay up to 450 eggs at a time? And the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander lays 200 to 400 eggs at a time according to research. Spiny salamanders guard their eggs by curling their bodies around the eggs. They also turn them over from time to time. Some even wrap their eggs with leaves to keep them safe. Salamander eggs are clear and jelly- more like frog eggs.
These are a few of the amazing salamander information everyone should have knowledge about. Check them out now.