Salamanders

Amphibians vs. Reptiles Both: ectothermic (cold-blooded), secretive, members of food chain

Amphibians

Moist skin, can breathe through it

2 different life stages

Defense = poison in skin

Frogs, salamanders, toads, newts

Reptiles

Scales, dry skin

Breathe air through lungs

Nails and teeth, venom

Habitat differences

General Salamander Info Classifications: salamanders, newts, sirens, caecilians

Largest species: Chinese giant salamander (5ft)

Smallest species: seepage salamander (1-2in)

88 species in NC

Aquatic and terrestrial habitats

Water essential

Role in the Ecosystem

Balance insect and invertebrate populations

Natural pest control

Prey for mammals, birds, fish

Secondary consumer

Indicator species

More?

Spotted Salamander

Black body, distinct spots on body

East US from Canada to Texas

Carnivores

Unique spot code

Cowan’s Ford research

Marbled Salamander

Gray to black with silvery crossbands

NE US to Georgia

Woodlands

Carnivores

Tiger Salamander

Largest terrestrial salamander in the world (13in)

Stripes from yellow to orange

Coastal plain on NC

Northern Mexico to southern Canada

Dig burrows

Generalist predators

Red Spotted Newt

3 life stages

Larva, eft, adult

Efts are toxic and bright red, have mimics

Adults are green with red spots

Eastern US

Carnivores

And Many More! Aquatic, terrestrial, gills, lungs, no lungs, small, large – a large range

of characteristics

Incredible diversity

Threats (main 6), cryptic species, more research needed!

Additional resources:

www.herpsofnc.org

www.savethesalamanders.com