Coeur d'Alene salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coeur d'Alene salamander |
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Plethodon vandykei idahoensis |
The Coeur d'Alene salamander (Plethodon idahoensis) is a special type of salamander. It belongs to a group called woodland salamanders. These amazing creatures are found in parts of northern Idaho, western Montana, and southeastern British Columbia in Canada.
This salamander was first discovered in 1939. Two scientists, James R. Slater and John W. Slipp, found it near Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. For a while, people thought it was just a type of Van dyke's salamander. But now, scientists agree it's its own unique species!
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What Does the Coeur d'Alene Salamander Look Like?
These salamanders are quite slender. They usually grow to be about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) long. Adult salamanders have special grooves near their noses and glands on their heads. They also have tiny teeth inside their mouths.
A cool way to spot a Coeur d'Alene salamander is by its colors. They have a dark body. But they also have a bright yellow-gold stripe running down their back. This stripe goes all the way from their head to their tail! They also have yellow patches under their throats. Their toes are shorter than those of the long-toed salamander. This helps scientists tell the two species apart.
About Their Eggs
The eggs of the Coeur d'Alene salamander are also unique. They don't have any color. They look like small bunches of grapes. Each cluster of eggs hangs by a single thread.
Where Do Coeur d'Alene Salamanders Live?
Most of these salamanders live in northern Idaho. However, some have been seen in western Montana and southeastern British Columbia. Scientists have checked on many of these groups since 1987. About 95% of them are still there.
You can often find these salamanders near certain rivers. They are common in the St. Joe and North Fork Clearwater River areas. They also live near the Selway, Kootenai, and Moyie rivers.
Their Favorite Home Spots
Coeur d'Alene salamanders love wet places. They prefer areas near streams and rivers. You can often find them in the misty "splash zone" near waterfalls. They also like wet spots near springs or in rocky areas next to streams. They are usually found where there are fractured rocks and fresh, moving water.
How Do Coeur d'Alene Salamanders Live?
These salamanders are mostly active at night. They usually come out when the temperature is above 45°F (7°C). They like to eat aquatic insects and other small creatures. These tiny animals are also active at night.
In northern Idaho, Coeur d'Alene salamanders wake up from their winter sleep in late March. They stay active near the surface through April and May. If it gets too hot or if it hasn't rained in a while, they go back underground. From June until mid-September, they hide underground to avoid the heat. This is called aestivation.
They become active again in September when the rains return. They stay active until early November. Then, they go back into hibernation for the winter.
How They Reproduce
When it's time to lay eggs, a female salamander will lay a small cluster. This can be anywhere from about four to 13 eggs at a time.
Why Are Coeur d'Alene Salamanders Important to Protect?
It's hard for scientists to know exactly how many Coeur d'Alene salamanders there are. This is because they are not seen very often. There hasn't been much research on their numbers. Some small areas might have many of them. But without a regular way to count them, it's tough to know if their numbers are going up or down.
Because of this lack of information, the Coeur d'Alene salamander is on a "Species of Special Concern" list in both Idaho and Montana. This means they need extra attention to make sure their populations stay healthy.
