Cofre de Perote salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cofre de Perote salamander |
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The Cofre de Perote salamander (scientific name: Isthmura naucampatepetl) is a special type of salamander. It belongs to the Plethodontidae family, which are often called "lungless salamanders." This means they breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouths, not with lungs!
This unique salamander lives only in a specific part of central Veracruz, Mexico. You can find it in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. It lives near the Cofre de Perote mountain and a smaller peak called Cerro Volcancillo.
What's in a Name?
Where did the name naucampatepetl come from?
The second part of this salamander's scientific name, naucampatepetl, comes from the Nahuatl language. This is the language spoken by the Nahua people in Mexico. It's actually the Nahuatl name for the Cofre de Perote mountain itself!
What Does It Look Like?
Size and Shape of the Cofre de Perote Salamander
Adult male Cofre de Perote salamanders are about 6.8 to 8.2 centimeters (2.7 to 3.2 inches) long. Females can grow a bit larger, up to 8.3 centimeters (3.3 inches). This measurement is from their snout (nose) to their vent (a small opening near the tail).
Their tail is thin and shorter than their body. It gets narrower towards the end but has a rounded tip. Their body is quite strong and sturdy.
Head, Eyes, and Limbs
The salamander has a noticeable head with large, slightly bulging eyes. Its snout, or nose area, is big and broadly rounded.
Its legs are long and strong. The salamander's fingers and toes are well-formed. They do not have much webbing between them, which is common in some water-living animals.
Amazing Colors and Patterns
The Cofre de Perote salamander has very striking colors. Its main background color is solid black. On top of this black, it has bright pink to pinkish-cream spots.
There are two round spots on the back of its head. These spots are about the same size as its eyeballs. A small spot can be found in the middle of its neck. There are also two large spots near its front legs.
After these large spots, you can see 11 pairs of smaller spots running down its back. Finally, there's a clear U-shaped mark behind its hips, pointing towards its tail. The underside of the salamander, called the venter, is light gray to dark gray.
Where Does It Live and How Is It Doing?
Habitat of the Cofre de Perote Salamander
This salamander's natural home is in pine-oak forests. These forests are found at high elevations, between 2,500 and 3,000 meters (8,200 to 9,800 feet) above sea level. These areas often have lots of bunch grass.
Scientists first found these salamanders on the sides of roads. They were hiding under a layer of moist soil. This soil had a slightly dry crust on the outside.
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
The Cofre de Perote salamander is very rare. Only six specimens have ever been officially recorded by scientists. One individual was photographed in 2015, which was exciting! However, many searches since then have not found any more.
The main reason this salamander is in trouble is because its home is disappearing. People are cutting down trees for logging. They are also clearing land for farming and building new settlements. This has destroyed much of the original forest habitat. What little is left is often in poor condition.
Because of these threats, the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group considers Isthmura naucampatepetl to be critically endangered. This means it is at an extremely high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
