Hands Down Animals · Printable fact sheet
Salamander
Caudata (Order), various families
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Caudata (Order), various families |
|---|---|
| Size | 2 cm to 180 cm (most between 5–30 cm) |
| Weight | 1 g to 60 kg (most less than 50 g) |
| Lifespan | 6–15 years typical; giants and some species up to 55 years |
| Diet | Carnivorous: insects, worms, small crustaceans, mollusks, and sometimes small fish or amphibians. |
| Habitat | Moist temperate forests, Clean, cool mountain streams, High-altitude lakes and ponds |
| Where it lives | Northeastern United States, Appalachian Mountains, Great Lakes region, Central Europe |
| IUCN status | Over 40% of salamander species are threatened (range from Least Concern to Critically Endangered) |
| Population | Unknown (varies widely by species; many are declining) |
| Family | Varies (e.g., Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidae, Salamandridae, Plethodontidae) |
About the salamander
Salamanders are amphibians with tails, and the roughly 750 species include newts, the axolotl and the Chinese giant salamander, which reaches 1.8 metres and is the largest amphibian alive. Most live in damp forests and streams of the Northern Hemisphere, and the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States hold more species than anywhere else on Earth. Many can regrow lost legs, tails and even parts of the eye and heart, and the lungless salamanders breathe entirely through their skin. Around three in five salamander species are threatened.
Five things to know
- Some salamanders, like the axolotl, never undergo metamorphosis and remain in their larval aquatic state for life.
- Salamanders have remarkable regenerative abilities, able to regrow limbs, spinal cords, and even some organs.
- The Chinese giant salamander can reach lengths up to 1.8 meters, making it the largest amphibian on Earth.
- Over 60% of salamander species are found in North and Central America, especially in the Appalachian region.
- Many species are lungless and breathe entirely through their skin and mouth lining.
Homeschool unit: Animals homeschool guide — Habitats, adaptations and food chains as a graded unit, with the salamander as one of its worked examples.