Bolitoglossa nympha facts for kids

Bolitoglossa nympha is a special type of salamander. It lives only in Guatemala, a country in Central America. This salamander is unique because it doesn't have lungs! It breathes through its skin instead. It belongs to a family of salamanders called Plethodontidae.

What Does the Bolitoglossa Nympha Look Like?

Both male and female Bolitoglossa nympha salamanders are about the same size. They are usually around 39 millimeters long. Their tails are also quite long, about 31 millimeters.

These salamanders have short legs. Their hands and feet are webbed, like a duck's foot. This might help them move around.

Their back side, called the dorsal side, can be different colors. It might be tan or a reddish-brown. Their belly side, called the ventral side, is usually a creamy color. It might have darker spots, called melanophores, scattered on it. Sometimes, the belly can be almost completely dark, but not as dark as their sides.

Why Is the Bolitoglossa Nympha in Danger?

The Bolitoglossa nympha faces several threats. These threats make it harder for them to survive in the wild.

Habitat Loss in Guatemala

The biggest problem for these salamanders in Guatemala is losing their homes. This happens because of deforestation. People cut down forests for different reasons:

• Logging: Trees are cut for wood and timber.
• Mining: Land is dug up to find valuable minerals.
• Farming: Forests are cleared to make space for farms.

Threats in Honduras

In a nearby country, Honduras, the salamanders face similar issues. Large farms for palm oil and cacao are a major threat. These farms often use chemicals like herbicides and pesticides. These chemicals can harm the salamanders.

Other dangers in Honduras include:

• More logging, which destroys their forest homes.
• New buildings and cities, known as urban development.
• Animals like cows eating too much grass, called livestock grazing.
• Fires started by people.

Climate Change and Disease

Changes in the world's weather patterns, known as climate change, also affect them. More rain or long dry periods (droughts) can harm their habitats.

Finally, a serious illness could affect these salamanders. It's caused by a type of fungus called Chytrid fungus. This fungus can be very dangerous for amphibians like salamanders.

See also

In Spanish: Bolitoglossa nympha para niños