Salamander

Cryptobranchoidea

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Salamandroidea

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sirenoidea

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Salamander is the common name applied to approximately 500 amphibian vertebrates with slender bodies, short legs, and long tails (order Caudata or Urodela). The moist skin of the amphibians limits them to habitats either near water or under some protection on moist ground, usually in a forest. Some species are aquatic throughout life, some take to the water intermittently, and some are entirely terrestrial as adults. Salamanders superficially resemble lizards, but are easily distinguished by their lack of scales. They are capable of regenerating lost limbs.

Related Topics:
Amphibia - Vertebrate - Forest - Species - Lizard - Scales - Regenerating

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Species of salamanders are numerous and found in most moist or aqueous habitats in the northern hemisphere. Most are small but some reach up to 5 feet in length. They live in brooks and ponds and other moist locations. North America has the hellbender and the mudpuppy which can reach the length of a foot. In Japan, China and the United States the giant salamander is found, which reaches 5 feet (1.5m) and weighs up to 30 kilograms http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2002-12/19/content_663873.htm http://www.giant-salamander.com/.

Related Topics:
North America - Hellbender - Mudpuppy - Giant salamander

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Salamanders are generally restricted to the northern hemisphere, with the exception of a few species in the northernmost part of South America.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~