Many-lined salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Many-lined salamander |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Stereochilus (amphibian)
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| Species: |
marginatus
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The many-lined salamander (Stereochilus marginatus) is a type of salamander found only in the United States. It belongs to a family called Plethodontidae, which are known as "lungless salamanders." This salamander is the only species in its special group, called Stereochilus.
Contents
What They Look Like
Many-lined salamanders are small, usually about 6.4 to 11.4 cm (2.5 to 4.5 in) long. They have a thin, pointed head and a tail that is shorter than what you might expect for a salamander in their family.
Their main color is brown or a dull yellow. They have thin, light and dark lines running along the lower sides of their body. These lines become a net-like pattern on their tail.
Where They Live
This salamander species is often found in the lower Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia. You can find them along the Atlantic coast from northeastern Florida up to southeastern Virginia.
Many-lined salamanders love water. They live in forested swamps next to slow-moving, dark-colored streams. They also like shallow ditches filled with water plants and muddy, wet areas.
You might also find them hiding under natural cover. This includes Sphagnum moss or decaying leaves and other plant material left in riverbeds. Sometimes, they can even be found under old tree remains in drier spots.
Life Cycle
The many-lined salamander is one of about 35 species of Plethodontidae that lay their eggs in water. These eggs hatch into swimming larvae. The larvae stage lasts for about one to two years.
It usually takes three to four years for these salamanders to become old enough to breed. Male salamanders become ready to breed earlier than females. We don't know much about how long they live in total.
What They Eat and Who Their Neighbors Are
Both young (larvae) and adult many-lined salamanders eat small invertebrates. These include tiny arthropods (like insects or spiders) and worms.
It's common to find other salamanders living in the same places. These include the Desmognathus auriculatus (southern dusky salamanders) and Pseudotriton montanus (mud salamanders). Larger water animals or insects might hunt and eat the many-lined salamander.
See also
In Spanish: Stereochilus marginatus para niños
