Limestone salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Limestone salamander |
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The limestone salamander (Hydromantes brunus) is a special kind of salamander that doesn't have lungs! It's part of a family called "lungless salamanders." This amazing creature was found in 1952. It belongs to the only group of salamanders found in both the "New World" (like America) and the "Old World" (like Europe). You can only find this salamander in a small part of the Merced River Canyon in Mariposa County, California.
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What Does the Limestone Salamander Look Like?
The limestone salamander has a flat body and head. It also has webbed toes and a short tail. These salamanders are usually about 5 to 7.5 centimeters long. That's about the length of your finger!
Adult salamanders are brownish. Their bellies are a lighter color. Male salamanders have a special oval-shaped gland on their chin.
Life Cycle and Young
At first, scientists thought these salamanders gave birth to live young. But now we know they lay eggs! The young salamanders hatch from their eggs fully formed. They don't have a larval stage like some other amphibians.
When they are young, limestone salamanders are yellowish-green. As they get older, their color becomes darker. Like all lungless salamanders, they breathe through their skin. They don't use lungs at all!
Where Do Limestone Salamanders Live?
The group of salamanders that the limestone salamander belongs to, called Hydromantes, only lives in California. The limestone salamander itself lives only in the Lower Merced River area. You can find them in different spots there. They live at elevations from about 300 to 760 meters high.
Their Special Home
These salamanders like to live on canyon slopes that are quite steep. Their homes include rocky areas covered with moss. They also live in chaparral, which is a type of shrubland. You can often find them hiding under rocks and logs in damp places.
When the weather gets dry, these salamanders go underground. They hide in caves and cracks in the rocks. This helps them stay moist and safe.
Protecting the Limestone Salamander
The limestone salamander is listed as a Vulnerable animal by the IUCN. This means they are at risk of becoming endangered. One reason is that they are found in fewer than five places. Even though they aren't super rare in those spots, their limited habitat is a concern.
Threats to Their Home
The United States government is currently looking at how to protect this species more. The state of California already lists them as a Threatened species. A big worry for these salamanders is a gold mine that has been planned in an area called Hell Hollow. This mine could destroy their habitat. Other threats include building new highways, quarries (where rocks are dug up), and dams. All of these can take away the salamander's home.
How People Are Helping
Good news! Parts of the Merced River Canyon are protected. The state of California manages a special area called the Limestone Salamander Ecological Reserve. This reserve is about 120 acres big. Also, another 1,600 acres have been set aside as the Limestone Salamander Area of Critical Environmental Concern. These protected areas help keep the salamanders safe.
