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Jackson's climbing salamander facts for kids

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Jackson's climbing salamander
Conservation status
Scientific classification

The Jackson's climbing salamander (its scientific name is Bolitoglossa jacksoni) is a special type of salamander. It belongs to a family called Plethodontidae. This amazing creature lives only in Guatemala, a country in Central America. It was once thought to be lost forever, but it was found again in 2017!

About Jackson's Climbing Salamander

Jackson's climbing salamander is a small amphibian. It is known for its ability to climb. This salamander is very rare. It is also quite unique because it lives only in one specific area. Scientists first described it in 1984.

Where This Salamander Lives

This salamander is endemic to Guatemala. This means it is found nowhere else in the world. Its natural habitat is in moist montane forests. These are forests found on mountains. They are often covered in clouds or mist. This type of environment provides the damp conditions salamanders need to survive.

Why It Was So Hard to Find

For many years, the Jackson's climbing salamander was not seen. In fact, it had not been spotted since 1975. Because of this, it was considered one of the "most wanted lost" species. This was part of a special effort by Global Wildlife Conservation. Their "Search for Lost Species" initiative aimed to find animals that had disappeared.

The Exciting Rediscovery

After decades of not being seen, the Jackson's climbing salamander was finally rediscovered. This exciting event happened in 2017. It was found in an amphibian reserve. This reserve is located in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes mountains of Guatemala. Finding it again gave hope to scientists and conservationists.

Protecting This Rare Salamander

The Jackson's climbing salamander faces a big threat. This threat is habitat loss. Its forest home is shrinking because of human activities. This makes it harder for the salamander to find food and places to live. Protecting its habitat is very important. It helps ensure this unique species can survive for the future.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bolitoglossa jacksoni para niños

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