Peña Verde salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peña Verde salamander |
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The Peña Verde salamander (scientific name: Pseudoeurycea aurantia) is a special kind of salamander that lives only in Oaxaca, Mexico. It's named after Peña Verde, a high mountain peak where it was first found. This salamander is part of the Plethodontidae family, which are known as "lungless salamanders" because they breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouths!
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What Does the Peña Verde Salamander Look Like?
These salamanders are quite sturdy. Adult males are about 43 millimeters (1.7 inches) long from snout to vent (the opening at the end of their body). Females are a bit bigger, ranging from 39 to 52 millimeters (1.5 to 2 inches) long.
Their heads are fairly wide, and their snouts are rounded. They have long limbs with well-formed hands and feet. Their fingers and toes are also long and slender.
The top of their body is reddish-brown. This color fades to a pale yellow underneath. A bright orange stripe runs down their back, from their shoulders all the way to the tip of their tail. On their head, this stripe breaks into darker spots. You can also see bright yellow spots all over their back, especially on their tail. The underside of their body and tail is a plain pale yellow, without any spots.
Where Does the Peña Verde Salamander Live?
The Peña Verde salamander lives in pine cloud forests. It also lives in open, barren areas at high altitudes. You can find them between 2,744 and 2,805 meters (about 9,000 to 9,200 feet) above sea level.
They like to hide under rocks or under the bark of fallen logs. They also live in or under decaying wood.
Life Cycle: How They Reproduce
These salamanders reproduce through something called "direct development." This means that when their eggs hatch, tiny salamanders emerge that look like miniature adults. They don't go through a tadpole stage like frogs do. One female was even found guarding a clutch of 22 eggs under the bark of a log!
Protecting the Peña Verde Salamander
Even though this salamander is common in its small home area, its habitat is in danger. Threats include forest fires and trees being cut down for timber. Small-scale farming is also moving higher up the mountains, taking away more of their living space.
Experts who study amphibians say that protecting the places where these salamanders live is very important. It's urgent to make sure they have a safe home for the future.
