Cocle salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cocle salamander |
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The Cocle salamander (scientific name: Bolitoglossa schizodactyla) is a special type of salamander. It's also called the Cocle mushroomtongue salamander because of its unique tongue. This amazing creature belongs to a family of salamanders called Plethodontidae.
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About the Cocle Salamander
Cocle salamanders are small, moist-skinned amphibians. They are known for their ability to breathe through their skin, as they don't have lungs! They also have a special tongue that they can shoot out very quickly to catch their food.
Where it Lives
You can find the Cocle salamander in two countries: Costa Rica and Panama. In Costa Rica, it lives only in the southeastern part, on the side that faces the Atlantic Ocean. In Panama, it's found in more places, including the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean sides.
These salamanders love places that are wet and green. Their natural habitats are humid forests, both in lowlands and on mountains. They need these damp environments to keep their skin moist and healthy.
How Many Are There?
The Cocle salamander is quite common in Panama. However, in Costa Rica, it's much harder to find. So far, only one Cocle salamander has ever been officially recorded there! This makes it a very rare sight in Costa Rica.
Protecting the Cocle Salamander
Even though it's common in some areas, the Cocle salamander faces a big challenge: habitat loss. This means that the forests where they live are being cut down or changed by human activities. When their homes disappear, it becomes very difficult for these salamanders to survive. Protecting their forest homes is important to help these unique creatures thrive.
