Bell's false brook salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bell's false brook salamander |
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Isthmura bellii, also known as Bell's salamander, is a special type of salamander. It belongs to the family Plethodontidae, which are often called lungless salamanders. This means they breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouths, not with lungs!
These salamanders live only in Mexico. You can find them mostly in the western and southern parts of the Mexican Plateau. There are also a few smaller groups in other areas.
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Where Bell's Salamanders Live
Bell's salamanders love to live in forests. They prefer forests with pine trees or a mix of pine and oak trees. These forests are usually found high up in the mountains.
They can also live in places where the forest has changed a bit. This includes areas near farms, coffee plantations, or even close to towns.
Finding Bell's Salamanders
These salamanders are terrestrial, meaning they live on land. They are also nocturnal, which means they are active at night. During the day, they hide to stay safe and moist.
You can often find them hiding under logs, rocks, or piles of leaves. They also like to hide under old wood or brush piles.
Why Are They Disappearing?
Bell's salamanders used to be very common. But now, they have disappeared from many places. Scientists are not completely sure why this is happening.
One big reason is likely habitat loss. This means the forests and places where they live are being destroyed or changed.
About Lungless Salamanders
Isthmura bellii is part of the Plethodontidae family. This group is famous for being "lungless" salamanders. They are very good at breathing through their skin.
Scientists are still learning a lot about these salamanders. Some research suggests that what we call Isthmura bellii might actually be several different species. They look very similar, but they are genetically different. More studies are needed to understand all the different types of Bell's salamanders.
