Salamanders | Salamandridae

Salamandridae is a family of small to medium terrestrial or aquatic salamanders and newts in the amphibian class. Most species in the salamandridae family have brightly colored skin that excretes toxins through its numerous poision glands. Due to the number of poison glands, Salamandridae are considered to have rough textured skin. Salamandridae typically give birth to live young, that do not have a tadpole stage. Salamandridae are found in North America, Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa. Salamandriae have four well developed limbs, some develop dorsal and tail fins, and juveniles and adults have developed lungs.

What do salamanders eat?

Salamanders are carnivorous and their diet depends on their age, species, and habitat. Young salamanders eat microorganisms in pond water, tubiflex worms, and mosquito larvae. Once they are 2 months old, they eat the same diet as an adult salamander. Adult salamanders are not picky and usually eat maggots, mysis, springtails, buffalo worms, fruit-flies, and crickets.

How do salamanders reproduce?

Salamanders reproduce via the female salamander fertilizing the eggs by picking up spermatophore from ground or water where it was left by the male. The fertilized eggs are then placed in water or land depending on the species and produce larvae. A salamander is able to place up to 450 eggs in water.

Where can you find salamanders?

Salamanders can be found in the Americas, most frequently in North America, as well as the temperate zones of Northern Africa, Asia, and Europe. They typically live in damp areas around streams under stones, logs, and leaves in moist habitats.

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.31”-.55” | .8-1.4 cm
.28”-.47” | .7-1.2 cm
2.75”-4.72” | 7-12 cm
.05-.23 oz | 1.4-6.4 g
15-30 years
Alpine Newt
1.400
1.200
12.000
0.006
30.00
3200
GUIDE
3D
Alpine Newt
.51”-.83” | 1.3-2.1 cm
.47”-.79” | 1.2-2 cm
4.72”-7.87” | 12-20 cm
.21-.39 oz | 6-11 g
15-30 years
California Newt
2.100
2.000
20.000
0.011
30.00
2700
GUIDE
3D
California Newt
.79”-1.25” | 2-3.2 cm
.98”-1.57” | 2.5-4 cm
7.87”-13” | 20-33 cm
4-5.5 lb | 1.8-2.5 kg
10-30 years
Common Mudpuppy
3.200
4.000
33.000
0.003
30.00
2350
GUIDE
3D
Common Mudpuppy
.87”-1.42” | 2.2-3.6 cm
1.57”-2.75” | 4-7 cm
9.45”-15.75” | 24-40 cm
4-6 lb | 1.8-2.7 kg
12-30 years
Eastern Hellbender
3.600
7.000
40.000
0.003
30.00
2050
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Hellbender
.28”-.47” | .7-1.2 cm
.24”-.39” | .6-1 cm
2.36”-3.94” | 6-10 cm
.18-.39 oz | 5-11 g
12-15 years
Eastern Newt
1.200
1.000
10.000
0.011
15.00
6000
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Newt
.51”-.83” | 1.3-2.1 cm
.43”-.71” | 1.1-1.8 cm
4.33”-7.09” | 11-18 cm
.12-.18 oz | 3.5-5 g
6-20 years
Jefferson Salamander
2.100
1.800
18.000
0.005
20.00
2200
GUIDE
3D
Jefferson Salamander
.31”-.71” | .8-1.8 cm
.24”-.47” | .6-1.2 cm
2.36”-5.51” | 6-14 cm
.16-.46 oz | 4.5-13 g
10-15 years
Northern Dusky Salamander
1.800
1.200
14.000
0.013
15.00
650
GUIDE
3D
Northern Dusky Salamander
.35”-.39” | .9-1 cm
.35”-.39” | .9-1 cm
9.06”-9.84” | 23-25 cm
.6-5.3 oz | 17-150 g
60-100 years
Olm | Proteus
1.000
1.000
25.000
0.150
100.00
52100
GUIDE
3D
Olm | Proteus
.43”-.59” | 1.1-1.5 cm
.35”-.55” | .9-1.4 cm
4.72”-6.69” | 12-17 cm
.13-.15 oz | 3.6-4.2 g
6-20 years
Slimy Salamander
1.500
1.400
17.000
0.004
20.00
1250
GUIDE
3D
Slimy Salamander
.71”-1.18” | 1.8-3 cm
.59”-.98” | 1.5-2.5 cm
5.91”-9.84” | 15-25 cm
.4-.6 oz | 11-17 g
20-30 years
Spotted Salamander
3.000
2.500
25.000
0.017
30.00
12900
GUIDE
3D
Spotted Salamander
.71”-.91” | 1.8-2.3 cm
.79”-1.1” | 2-2.8 cm
5.91”-7.87” | 15-20 cm
2.1-4.6 oz | 60-130 g
14-25 years
Tiger Salamander
2.300
2.800
20.000
0.130
25.00
23700
GUIDE
3D
Tiger Salamander
Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Common Mudpuppy to other salamanders

The mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus, is an aquatic salamander that lives in the eastern part of North America in lakes, rivers, and ponds. As skin and lung respiration is not sufficient for gas exchange, mudpuppies rely on external gills as their primary means of gas exchange. They are nocturnal animals, and only emerge during the day if the water in which they inhabit is murky. Their diet is diverse, as they consume insects, mollusks, earthworms, and other annelids. Physically they are a rusty brown color with black, gray, and black-blue spots.

The Common Mudpuppy has an overall length between 7.87”-13” (20-33 cm), body width of .98”-1.57” (2.5-4 cm), body height of .79”-1.25” (2-3.2 cm), and weight between 4-5.5 lb (1.8-2.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Mudpuppy is between 10-30 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Common Mudpuppy in various poses
The mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus, is an aquatic salamander that lives in the eastern part of North America in lakes, rivers, and ponds. As skin and lung respiration is not sufficient for gas exchange, mudpuppies rely on external gills as their primary means of gas exchange.

The Common Mudpuppy has an overall length between 7.87”-13” (20-33 cm), body width of .98”-1.57” (2.5-4 cm), body height of .79”-1.25” (2-3.2 cm), and weight between 4-5.5 lb (1.8-2.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Common Mudpuppy is between 10-30 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Common Mudpuppy in various poses
Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
Height:
.79”-1.25” | 2-3.2 cm
Width:
.98”-1.57” | 2.5-4 cm
Length:
7.87”-13” | 20-33 cm
Depth:
Weight:
4-5.5 lb | 1.8-2.5 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Necturus maculosus
Lifespan
10-30 years

Drawings include:

Common Mudpuppy top view, side

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Olm | Proteus (Proteus anguinus)
Scale illustration of an average Olm | Proteus compared to other salamander species

A cave salamander, Proteus anguinus, exclusively lives in caves. They encompass several species, and they have developed special adaptations to their environments like rudimentary or absent eyes and lack of pigmentation. Many species have been commonly named ”cave salamander” without any modifier or adjective. For example, the olm is the cave salamander that is most noted for its adaptations to life of complete darkness. Its eyes are undeveloped, and to compensate, its other senses are acute. They lack pigmentation and have three toes on their forelimbs and only two twos on their hind feet.

The Olm | Proteus has an overall length between 9.06”-9.84” (23-25 cm), body width of .35”-.39” (.9-1 cm), body height of .35”-.39” (.9-1 cm), and weight between .6-5.3 oz (17-150 g). The typical lifespan of the Olm | Proteus is between 60-100 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Olm | Proteus
A cave salamander, Proteus anguinus, exclusively lives in caves. They encompass several species, and they have developed special adaptations to their environments like rudimentary or absent eyes and lack of pigmentation. Many species have been commonly named ”cave salamander”.

The Olm | Proteus has an overall length between 9.06”-9.84” (23-25 cm), body width of .35”-.39” (.9-1 cm), body height of .35”-.39” (.9-1 cm), and weight between .6-5.3 oz (17-150 g). The typical lifespan of the Olm | Proteus is between 60-100 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Olm | Proteus
Olm | Proteus (Proteus anguinus)
Height:
.35”-.39” | .9-1 cm
Width:
.35”-.39” | .9-1 cm
Length:
9.06”-9.84” | 23-25 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.6-5.3 oz | 17-150 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Proteus anguinus
Lifespan
60-100 years

Drawings include:

Olm | Proteus top view, side

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California Newt (Taricha torosa)
Scale illustration of an average California Newt compared to other salamander species

The California newt, Taricha torosa, is a newt that is native to California in the United States. Physically, they have warty, slate-gray skin on their backs with bright orange-yellow skin underneath. They also have eyes that protrude beyond the edge of the jaw line, and they are often indistinguishable to the rough-skinned newt. The California newt eats mostly invertebrates like earthworms, snails, slugs, woodlice, bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and crickets. In the Sierra Nevada the newt will also eat trout eggs, and in an aquarium habitat, earthworms provide all the necessary nutrients.

The California Newt has an overall length between 4.72”-7.87” (12-20 cm), body width of .47”-.79” (1.2-2 cm), body height of .51”-.83” (1.3-2.1 cm), and weight between .21-.39 oz (6-11 g). The typical lifespan of the California Newt is between 15-30 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the California Newt
The California newt, Taricha torosa, is a newt that is native to California in the United States. Physically, they have warty, slate-gray skin on their backs with bright orange-yellow skin underneath. They also have eyes that protrude beyond the edge of the jaw line.

The California Newt has an overall length between 4.72”-7.87” (12-20 cm), body width of .47”-.79” (1.2-2 cm), body height of .51”-.83” (1.3-2.1 cm), and weight between .21-.39 oz (6-11 g). The typical lifespan of the California Newt is between 15-30 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the California Newt
California Newt (Taricha torosa)
Height:
.51”-.83” | 1.3-2.1 cm
Width:
.47”-.79” | 1.2-2 cm
Length:
4.72”-7.87” | 12-20 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.21-.39 oz | 6-11 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Taricha torosa
Lifespan
15-30 years

Drawings include:

California Newt top view, side

Details & Downloads

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Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Scale illustration of an average Eastern Newt compared to other salamander species

The eastern newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, is a common newt in eastern North America; they are also common aquarium pets, either collected from the wild or sold commercially. They reside in small lakes, ponds, streams, or nearby wet forests. Their production of tetrodotoxin makes the species inedible to predatory fish and crayfish. Eastern newts have three stages of life, the aquatic larva or tadpole, the red eft or terrestrial juvenile states, and the aquatic adult. In their juvenile phase, they are bright orange and land-dwelling and eventually turn a dull olive green, with a dull yellow belly in the adult stage.

The Eastern Newt has an overall length between 2.36”-3.94” (6-10 cm), body width of .24”-.39” (.6-1 cm), body height of .28”-.47” (.7-1.2 cm), and weight between .18-.39 oz (5-11 g). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Newt is between 12-15 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Eastern Newt
The eastern newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, is a common newt in eastern North America; they are also common aquarium pets, either collected from the wild or sold commercially. They reside in small lakes, ponds, streams, or nearby wet forests.

The Eastern Newt has an overall length between 2.36”-3.94” (6-10 cm), body width of .24”-.39” (.6-1 cm), body height of .28”-.47” (.7-1.2 cm), and weight between .18-.39 oz (5-11 g). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Newt is between 12-15 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Eastern Newt
Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Height:
.28”-.47” | .7-1.2 cm
Width:
.24”-.39” | .6-1 cm
Length:
2.36”-3.94” | 6-10 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.18-.39 oz | 5-11 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Notophthalmus viridescens
Lifespan
12-15 years

Drawings include:

Eastern Newt top view, side

Details & Downloads

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Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
Scale illustration of an average Tiger Salamander compared to other salamander species

The tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, is a mole salamander, and it is one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America. They are secretive creatures that live underground in burrows of woodlands or in grassy open fields, and they need loose soil for burrowing. Physically, they have a black or dark brown back with brownish yellow to greenish yellow markings on the back of their head, body, and tail. Other characteristics include short snouts, thick necks, strong legs, and lengthy tails. Their diet is mostly small insects, frogs, and worms, but an adult can turn cannibalistic.

The Tiger Salamander has an overall length between 5.91”-7.87” (15-20 cm), body width of .79”-1.1” (2-2.8 cm), body height of .71”-.91” (1.8-2.3 cm), and weight between 2.1-4.6 oz (60-130 g). The typical lifespan of the Tiger Salamander is between 14-25 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Tiger Salamander
The tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, is a mole salamander, and it is one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America. They are secretive creatures that live underground in burrows of woodlands or in grassy open fields, and they need loose soil for burrowing.

The Tiger Salamander has an overall length between 5.91”-7.87” (15-20 cm), body width of .79”-1.1” (2-2.8 cm), body height of .71”-.91” (1.8-2.3 cm), and weight between 2.1-4.6 oz (60-130 g). The typical lifespan of the Tiger Salamander is between 14-25 years.

Series of top view illustrations of the Tiger Salamander
Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
Height:
.71”-.91” | 1.8-2.3 cm
Width:
.79”-1.1” | 2-2.8 cm
Length:
5.91”-7.87” | 15-20 cm
Depth:
Weight:
2.1-4.6 oz | 60-130 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Ambystoma tigrinum
Lifespan
14-25 years

Drawings include:

Tiger Salamander top view, side

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

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