Did you know that a newt is a salamander, but a salamander is not always a newt? The word "salamander" is the name for an entire group of amphibians that have tails (as adults), including newts.

Salamanders are generally small, only a few species are longer than 6 inches. They have narrow heads and small eyes. As adults, salamanders develop four short legs with toes at the end of each foot. Salamander's legs are so short that their belly drags on the ground. Most salamanders don't have lungs or gills as adults. They breathe through their skin and the membranes in their mouth and throat. Although these "lungless salamanders" are the most common, some salamanders keep their gills their entire lives, and still others develop lungs as they grow older. Like frogs, salamanders need to stay cool and moist to survive and can often be found in shady, moist areas, under rocks or even in burrows under the water.

Some salamander species breed, lay eggs and hatch on land. Some breed and lay eggs in the water, only to grow and return to the land. Others remain in the water their entire lives. A mother salamander can lay as many as 450 eggs at once, depending on the species.

Salamanders are carnivores (meat eaters), but tend to eat slow-moving creatures such as earthworms, snails and slugs. Some larger species may eat fish, crayfish and small mammals like mice. They approach their prey very slowly and then make a quick grab with their sharp teeth. Several salamander species can also flick out their tongues and catch their food as it goes by, just like a frog catches a fly. Aquatic species generally catch their food by creating a suction force with their mouth. They suck up those worms or fish like spaghetti!

Images © Sharon Hosko

To keep themselves safe from predators, salamanders have some special tactics. The red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus virdescens) has brightly colored, poisonous skin. The bright color warns predators that it is not safe to eat. Many salamanders have glands that secrete a poisonous or bad-tasting liquid. Others can even shed their tail during an attack and grow a new one later. Their tail drops off and helps the animal to escape a predator.

Humans are the largest threat to salamander populations. These amphibians need water to survive and we are destroying their wetland habitats and polluting their ponds. In order to conserve the remaining populations, we must help conserve their habitat and provide new habitat for these unique creatures. Check out our Vernal Pool Habitat Project to see how you can directly help amphibian populations here in Northeast Ohio!

Ohio Salamander Web