Plantanillo Gorge salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plantanillo Gorge salamander |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Genus: | Nototriton |
| Species: |
N. major
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| Binomial name | |
| Nototriton major Good & Wake, 1993
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The Nototriton major is a small, special kind of salamander. It belongs to the family Plethodontidae, which are salamanders without lungs! They breathe through their skin. This salamander is also known as the Plantanillo Gorge salamander. It was first described by scientists Good and Wake in 1993.
This unique creature lives only in one specific place on Earth. It is endemic to the Cordillera de Talamanca, which is a mountain range in Costa Rica. This means you won't find it living naturally anywhere else in the world!
Where the Plantanillo Gorge Salamander Lives
The Plantanillo Gorge salamander makes its home in tropical moist montane forests. Imagine a forest high up in the mountains, where it's always warm and wet. These forests are full of tall trees, thick plants, and lots of moisture in the air. This kind of environment is perfect for salamanders, as they need damp places to keep their skin moist and healthy. They often live under logs, rocks, or in the leaf litter on the forest floor.
Why This Salamander Is in Danger
Sadly, the Nototriton major is currently listed as an endangered species. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. The biggest threat to this little salamander is habitat loss.
Habitat loss happens when the natural places where animals live are destroyed or changed. For the Plantanillo Gorge salamander, this often means its mountain forest home is cut down for farming, building, or other human activities. When their forests are gone, these salamanders lose their shelter, food, and the damp conditions they need to survive. Protecting these special forests is very important to help the Nototriton major and many other animals keep their homes.
See also
In Spanish: Nototriton major para niños
 | John T. Biggers |
 | Thomas Blackshear |
 | Mark Bradford |
 | Beverly Buchanan |
