Cave splayfoot salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cave splayfoot salamander |
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The cave splayfoot salamander (Chiropterotriton mosaueri) is a special type of salamander that lives in caves. It belongs to a family of salamanders called Plethodontidae.
This salamander is found only in Mexico. It lives in the Sierra Madre Oriental pine–oak forests in the northern part of Hidalgo state. Being "endemic" means it naturally lives in only one specific place in the world.
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A Lost and Found Species
For many years, people thought the cave splayfoot salamander had disappeared forever. It was first seen and studied in 1937 by Robert Livingston and Harold T. Woodall. They found five of these salamanders. After that, no one saw them for over 70 years!
Scientists worried the species was extinct. But in 2010, Dr. Sean Rovito rediscovered them. He found two of these amazing salamanders while looking for other rare amphibians. It was a very exciting discovery!
What Do They Look Like?
The cave splayfoot salamander has a dark brown body with a lighter tan belly. They have some unique features that help them stand out.
- Webbed Feet: Their feet are webbed and shaped like spatulas, which might help them move around in their cave homes.
- Rib Grooves: They have 12 to 13 grooves along their sides, which look a bit like ribs.
- Long Tails: Their tails are a bit longer than their head and body put together.
- Other Features: They also have longer limbs and shorter heads compared to some other salamanders. They have many small teeth on the roof of their mouth, called vomerine teeth.
Where Do They Live?
These salamanders are believed to live in damp caves. This is where they were first found. However, scientists don't know the exact locations of all their cave homes.
Why Are They in Danger?
The cave splayfoot salamander is a critically endangered species. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing from the wild.
- Habitat Loss: Their biggest threat is habitat loss. This happens when their natural home is destroyed or changed.
- Deforestation: Trees are being cut down in the forests where they live. This is called deforestation.
- Farming: More and more land is being used for farming.
- Dry Caves: When forests are cut down and land is used for farming, the caves can become dry. Salamanders need damp places to survive.
Living Together
The cave splayfoot salamander and another rare species, the bigfoot splayfoot salamander, have been found in the same cave. When two species live in the same area, they are called "sympatric."
