Like most amphibians, salamanders have moist, semi-permeable skin essential for many vital functions. But have you ever wondered if salamanders breathe through their skin? All salamanders can breathe through their skin, in a process known as cutaneous respiration. Some salamanders have lungs, which they use to breathe in addition to their skin, but some are … Read more
On warm rainy nights in the spring, it is common to see salamanders and other frogs migrating to breeding sites, or hunting for food. However, when the daytime comes, salamanders become harder to find. Most salamander species are either nocturnal or crepuscular and are most active at night or in the low-light hours right before … Read more
During the spring, it’s common to encounter salamanders and other amphibians, especially on warm wet days. However, these amphibians seem to vanish when the temperatures drop during the winter. During the winter, salamanders retreat to protected areas that can shield them from the freezing temperatures. Terrestrial salamanders hibernate in logs or underground burrows below the … Read more
Salamanders are generalist carnivores that feast on worms and a wide variety of bugs. These amphibians are not picky eaters and will eat almost any prey they can catch and fit into their mouths. Salamanders are ambush predators and are instinctively attracted to movement while hunting for food. For this reason, most salamanders do not … Read more
Many people know that most salamanders love to hang around in or near freshwater bodies, such as ponds, lakes, or streams. But have you ever wondered why salamanders need water? Salamanders need water to keep their skin moist, rehydrate, regulate their temperature, and reproduce. Salamanders are amphibians, which means they live part of their lives … Read more
It’s common to encounter salamanders and other amphibians during the wet, warm season, but they seem to disappear during the winter. So how do these creatures survive the winter? Salamanders survive the winter by hibernating. Terrestrial salamanders hibernate in logs or underground burrows below the frost line. Many aquatic salamanders hibernate by burying themselves in … Read more
Amphibians have unique skin compared to that of many other vertebrates. They use their skin to breathe, and also to ‘drink’ water. Many salamanders feel slimy because their skin is covered in a mucous coating, which helps them keep their skin moist, enabling them to efficiently breathe through their skin. The slime also creates an environment … Read more
Salamanders are very secretive creatures. Due to this, several myths and legends have arisen about them over the centuries. Many ancient people believed that salamanders were fireproof and so cold-blooded that their bodies could extinguish the flames themselves. Ancient people associated salamanders with fire due to their habit of hibernating in moist logs. When these … Read more
Salamanders love to hang around ponds and other water bodies where they can hydrate, and keep their skins moist. However, in moist, humid weather, salamanders often venture further away from their natural habitats and often wander into people’s backyards. Salamanders come out in the rain because they like the wet, cool environment. Wet weather allows … Read more
Most salamanders reproduce by laying eggs. These eggs are typically laid in the water, and attached to twigs, grass, or other vegetation just slightly below the water’s surface. But how long do salamander eggs take to hatch? Most salamander eggs will hatch in 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the species, water temperature, and other … Read more