Cope's giant salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cope's giant salamander |
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| Conservation status | |
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Dicamptodon
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| Species: |
copei
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The Cope's giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei) is a special type of salamander. It belongs to a group called Pacific giant salamanders. You can find this amazing creature in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It lives in the states of Washington and Oregon.
Contents
About the Cope's Giant Salamander
What Does It Look Like?
The Cope's giant salamander can grow up to about 19.5 centimeters long. That's almost 8 inches! It usually stays looking like a young salamander, even when it's old enough to have babies. This special feature is called neoteny. It means the salamander keeps its gills and fin-like tail, just like a larva.
It has a rounded snout and a tail that is flat on the sides, like a fin. Its body is a mix of gold and brown colors. You might not easily see the small grooves on its sides, which are called costal grooves.
Where Does It Live and What Does It Eat?
Scientists are still learning a lot about where these salamanders like to live. So far, they have been found in mountain pools and streams. These salamanders are hunters! They eat smaller animals that live in the water. This includes small fish, other amphibians, and even the eggs and young of their own kind.
How Do They Have Babies?
Female Cope's giant salamanders lay their eggs in wet places close to water. A female can lay between 50 and 115 eggs at one time. After laying her eggs, the mother salamander stays to guard them. She might even protect them fiercely from danger.
Protecting the Cope's Giant Salamander
Where Do They Live in the Wild?
The Cope's giant salamander lives in an area stretching from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington down to northern Oregon.
Are They Safe?
Right now, the number of Cope's giant salamanders seems to be mostly stable. However, some groups might be slowly shrinking. There are a few things that can harm them. Changes in water temperature can be a problem. Also, dirt and mud from nearby logging operations can get into their streams. This dirt can make it hard for them to live and breathe. Scientists and conservationists are working to make sure these unique salamanders stay safe for the future.
