Salamanders

Salamanders look like lizards, but they are really amphibians. Their skin is smooth, wet, and smooth to the touch. They live in damp places like ponds, streams, and under logs. Salamanders come in many bright colors.

Amazing Bodies

Salamanders can do something very cool. If they lose a leg or tail, they can grow a new one. They breathe through their skin, so they need to stay wet. Some salamanders even have gills like fish.

A shiny black salamander crawling over wet rocks.
A shiny black salamander crawling over wet rocks. (Franco Andreone - see authorization / Wikimedia Commons)

What They Eat

Salamanders are hunters that eat small animals. They like to eat worms, bugs, and tiny snails. They use their sticky tongues to catch food fast. Most salamanders hunt at night.

Fun Facts

  • The biggest salamander can grow up to 6 feet long.
  • Some salamanders glow in the dark.
  • Salamanders can grow back their legs, tails, and even parts of their hearts.

Did You Know?

The axolotl is a special salamander from Mexico that keeps its gills its whole life and never leaves the water.