Salamanders | Salamandridae

Salamanders | Salamandridae

Description
Description

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.

Anatomy
Anatomy

Salamanders are amphibians with elongated bodies, short limbs, and long tails, allowing them to navigate both land and water. Their skin is moist and permeable, facilitating gas exchange—a kind of breathing through their skin. Salamanders lack external ear openings, but they can sense vibrations. Many have keen eyesight for hunting prey. They move in a sinuous, bending motion, and some aquatic species have fin-like tails to propel themselves in water. Most salamanders are silent, lacking the vocal cords for complex sounds. Remarkably, they can regenerate lost limbs and other body parts, showcasing a unique biological ability among vertebrates.

Human Interaction
Human Interaction

The relationship between humans and salamanders is one of fascination and scientific interest. These amphibians, often associated with myths and legends, are now recognized for their ecological importance and their astonishing regenerative abilities, sparking medical research. They feature in folklore and children's tales, symbolizing fire or magical creatures.

Conservation efforts are crucial as many species face threats from habitat loss and pollution. Environmental organizations and researchers tirelessly work to protect salamander habitats and raise awareness about their plight. Their presence in ecosystems is a vital indicator of environmental health, making their conservation essential for maintaining biodiversity.

Common Questions
Common Questions
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.

Animals

* Under Development *

.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
Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Eastern Hellbender compared to other salamanders

The eastern hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, is a species of the aquatic giant salamander native to the eastern and central United States. It is the only extant member of the genus Cryptobranchus, and other closely related salamanders in the same family are in the genus Andrias. Their means of respiration is unique, as it involves cutaneous gas exchange through capillaries found in its dorsoventral skin folds. It is classified as both predator and prey in its ecosystem. They are distinguishable from other native salamanders by their giant dorsoventrally flattened body with thick folds down the sides, a single open gill slit on each sides, and hind feet with five toes each.

The Eastern Hellbender has an overall length between 9.45”-15.75” (24-40 cm), body width of 1.57”-2.75” (4-7 cm), body height of .87”-1.42” (2.2-3.6 cm), and weight between 4-6 lb (1.8-2.7 kg). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Hellbender is between 12-30 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Eastern Hellbender
The eastern hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, is a species of the aquatic giant salamander native to the eastern and central United States. It is the only extant member of the genus Cryptobranchus, and other closely related salamanders in the same family are in the genus Andrias.

The Eastern Hellbender has an overall length between 9.45”-15.75” (24-40 cm), body width of 1.57”-2.75” (4-7 cm), body height of .87”-1.42” (2.2-3.6 cm), and weight between 4-6 lb (1.8-2.7 kg). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Hellbender is between 12-30 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Eastern Hellbender
Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Height:
.87”-1.42” | 2.2-3.6 cm
Width:
1.57”-2.75” | 4-7 cm
Length:
9.45”-15.75” | 24-40 cm
Depth:
Weight:
4-6 lb | 1.8-2.7 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
Lifespan
12-30 years

Drawings include:

Eastern Hellbender top view, side

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Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Jefferson Salamander to other salamanders

The Jefferson salamander, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, is a mole salamander that lives in the northeastern United States, southern and central Ontario, and southwestern Quebec. It’s named after Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. They live in underbrush in deciduous forests in damp conditions. Physically, they are dark gray, brown, or black on its dorsal surface, with a lighter shade on their anterior, and some may have silver or blue specks on their sides. They are slender, with a wide nose and long toes. Larvae and adults are carnivorous and consume aquatic invertebrates, and insufficient food supply results in cannibalistic behavior.

The Jefferson Salamander has an overall length between 4.33”-7.09” (11-18 cm), body width of .43”-.71” (1.1-1.8 cm), body height of .51”-.83” (1.3-2.1 cm), and weight between .12-.18 oz (3.5-5 g). The typical lifespan of the Jefferson Salamander is between 6-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Jefferson Salamander in various poses
The Jefferson salamander, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, is a mole salamander that lives in the northeastern United States, southern and central Ontario, and southwestern Quebec. It’s named after Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. They live in underbrush in deciduous forests in damp conditions.

The Jefferson Salamander has an overall length between 4.33”-7.09” (11-18 cm), body width of .43”-.71” (1.1-1.8 cm), body height of .51”-.83” (1.3-2.1 cm), and weight between .12-.18 oz (3.5-5 g). The typical lifespan of the Jefferson Salamander is between 6-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Jefferson Salamander in various poses
Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
Height:
.51”-.83” | 1.3-2.1 cm
Width:
.43”-.71” | 1.1-1.8 cm
Length:
4.33”-7.09” | 11-18 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.12-.18 oz | 3.5-5 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
Lifespan
6-20 years

Drawings include:

Jefferson Salamander 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

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

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

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Spotted Salamander compared to other salamanders

The spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, is a common mole salamander found in the eastern United States and Canada. They live in a shelter of leaves or burrows in deciduous forests. It is the state amphibian of Ohio and South Carolina. Physically, they are stout, have wide snouts, and can vary in color- black, blueish-black, dark green, and dark brown. They have two uneven rows of yellow-orange spots that start from the top of the head and end at the tip of the tail. As larvae they mostly consume zooplankton, but as they grow, they consume isopods and amphipods.

The Spotted Salamander has an overall length between 5.91”-9.84” (15-25 cm), body width of .59”-.98” (1.5-2.5 cm), body height of .71”-1.18” (1.8-3 cm), and weight between .4-.6 oz (11-17 g). The typical lifespan of the Spotted Salamander is between 20-30 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Spotted Salamander
The spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, is a common mole salamander found in the eastern United States and Canada. They live in a shelter of leaves or burrows in deciduous forests. It is the state amphibian of Ohio and South Carolina. Physically, they are stout and have wide snouts.

The Spotted Salamander has an overall length between 5.91”-9.84” (15-25 cm), body width of .59”-.98” (1.5-2.5 cm), body height of .71”-1.18” (1.8-3 cm), and weight between .4-.6 oz (11-17 g). The typical lifespan of the Spotted Salamander is between 20-30 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Spotted Salamander
Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
Height:
.71”-1.18” | 1.8-3 cm
Width:
.59”-.98” | 1.5-2.5 cm
Length:
5.91”-9.84” | 15-25 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.4-.6 oz | 11-17 g
Area:
Scientific Name
Ambystoma maculatum
Lifespan
20-30 years

Drawings include:

Spotted Salamander top view, side

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads