Salamander Varieties

Primitive Salamanders

• The Cryptobranchidae and Hynobiidae families contain primitive species of salamanders. They differ from other families in that eggs are fertilized outside of the body. The Cryptobranchidae species include hellbenders in the eastern United States and giant salamander species in China and Japan. Hellbenders typically measure 30 inches, while the Japanese giant salamander reaches up to 5 feet in length. They live in bodies of running water, such as rivers and streams. Hynobids, which measure up to 10 inches, inhabit ponds and streams throughout Asia.

Mole, Torrent and Pacific Giant Salamanders

• The Ambystomatidae family consists of around 30 species of mole salamanders, which spend most of their lives in underground burrows and only emerge during mating season. Their range extends from Alaska to Mexico. Members of the Rhyacotritonidae family, known as torrent salamanders, and the Dicamptodontidae family, or Pacific giant salamanders, are found in the western U.S. and were originally grouped in the Ambystomidae family. Mole, torrent and Pacific giant salamanders have stockier bodies than most other salamander species.

Lungless Salamanders

• Plethodontidae is the largest Caudata family, containing around 250 species. These salamanders have no lungs and breathe through the lining in their mouth and throat and through their skin. They mainly inhabit caves, logs and rock crevices in wet climates throughout North and South America, although a few species live in Europe. They range in size from one inch to 12 1/2 inches. Lungless salamanders also have a nasolabial groove between the nose and upper lip that improves their ability to sense chemical stimuli.

Salamandrids

• The Salamandridae family has around 60 species of newts and salamanders. Newt species are primarily aquatic and are found in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Salamander species spend most of their lives on land near water in Europe, Asia and Africa. Most members of the Salamandridae family have brightly colored skin and deposit their eggs in water, although a few give birth to live young. Their size ranges from 2 to 12 inches in length.

Sirens

• Members of the Sirenidae family inhabit aquatic environments in the southeastern U.S. and Mexico. They retain gills throughout their lives and are the only salamander species that lack hind limbs. Sirens have long and slender bodies that resemble eels and snakes. They range from 10 inches to 37 inches in length. Sirens can survive periods of drought in their habitat by burying themselves in mud and leaving only their nostrils exposed to the air.

Mudpuppies, Waterdogs and Olms

• Mudpuppies, waterdogs and olms belong to the Caudata family known as Proteidae. Mudpuppies and waterdogs, which range from 11 to 15 inches in length, got their name from the mistaken belief that they bark. They live in freshwater regions throughout the eastern and central U.S. Olms inhabit the waters of the Balkan Peninsula and are also found in northeastern Italy. They typically measure up to 13 inches. All members of the Proteidae family lack upper jaws and eyelids.

Amphiumas

• Amphiumas, also called Congo eels, live in marshes, lakes and other bodies of water in the southeastern U.S. They spend almost all of their lives in water and often burrow in mud. The one-toed amphiuma measures an average of 12 inches. The two-toed amphiuma measures 46 inches, while the three-toad amphiuma typically reaches 42 inches. All members of the Amphiumidae family have smooth skin and four tiny limbs.