What Kinds of Habitats Do Salamanders Live In?

Biology

• Salamanders are in the same family as toads and frogs but they belong to the order Caudata because they have tails. While they may often be mistaken for lizards, they differ in that they do not have scales, ears or claws. Some species of salamander may only have a single pair of legs and others have legs that are so reduced, they look a bit like eels. Because they are amphibians, they need to keep their skin moist and this is why most of them require habitats that are either damp or close to water. Salamanders like moist, dark places and can be found in damp, dark places in the depth of the woods. They are active at night when they come out to forage for food.

Habitats

• Salamanders need to keep their skin moist, and for this reason, they are mostly found near wetlands. Some types of salamander are able to burrow underground or they may borrow the burrows of other creatures. The aquatic habitats of salamanders range from temporary pools formed after heavy rains to more permanent bodies of water such as rivers or streams. The type of salamander known as a hellbender prefers large rivers, while the tiger salamanders seek out warm ponds for their habitat.

Breeding

• The types of salamanders that live in the United States all lay eggs. Terrestrial species, which live on the land, lay their eggs either underground or in moist places under logs or rocks. The female will watch over the eggs and protect them from predators. It will also remove waste matter or fungus that may threaten their well-being. Salamanders that live in water lay their eggs in the water. The breeding season of salamanders depends on their location and weather conditions. In some cases, when conditions are perfect, hundreds of salamanders migrate to a single breeding pond to reproduce.

Habitat Loss

• In the United States there are 11 species of salamander that are on the threatened or endangered list. Once of the major reasons for their decline is because of the loss or changes in habitats. When habitats are destroyed or changed, it affects the salamander population. If forest is cleared for building, then adults may be killed or die because the habitat no longer offers ideal conditions. If changes are made to the habitat, temporary ponds may dry up and inhibit the ideal conditions required for breeding.