Bolitoglossa mombachoensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bolitoglossa mombachoensis |
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The Mombacho salamander (scientific name: Bolitoglossa mombachoensis) is a special type of salamander. It belongs to a group of salamanders called Plethodontidae, which are known as "lungless salamanders." This means they breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouth, not with lungs!
This unique salamander is found only in one country: Nicaragua. It lives on a specific volcano called Mombacho Volcano, which is in the Granada Department. Scientists have found it living at high elevations, between 950 and 1,250 meters (about 3,100 to 4,100 feet) above sea level. It's possible it might live on other volcanoes nearby in southwestern Nicaragua, but for now, Mombacho is its only known home.
Where the Mombacho Salamander Lives
The Mombacho salamander prefers to live in certain types of forests. These include warm, wet lowland forests and moist montane forests, which are forests found on mountains. These places are often filled with lots of plants and have a humid, misty environment. This kind of habitat is perfect for a salamander that needs to keep its skin moist to breathe.
Sadly, the places where this salamander lives are shrinking. Its home is being lost because of habitat loss. This means that the forests where it lives are being cut down or changed by human activities. When their homes disappear, it becomes very hard for these salamanders to survive. Because of this, the Mombacho salamander is considered a vulnerable species, meaning it could become endangered if its habitat continues to disappear.
Images for kids
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A Mombacho salamander resting on a leaf.
