San Gabriel slender salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Gabriel slender salamander |
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The San Gabriel slender salamander (Batrachoseps gabrieli) is a special kind of salamander. It is a small amphibian that lives in the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, California. This salamander is known for its unique, worm-like body.
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Meet the San Gabriel Slender Salamander
The San Gabriel slender salamander is a fascinating creature. It is part of a group of salamanders called "slender salamanders" because of their long, thin bodies. These animals are amphibians, which means they can live both on land and in water, though they prefer moist, damp places.
What Does It Look Like?
This salamander has a body that looks a bit like a worm. It has a fairly large head and strong limbs for its size. Its tail is long and round, usually less than 1.5 times the length of its body.
- Size: An adult San Gabriel slender salamander is quite small. It grows to be about 3 to 5 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) long. That's about the length of your thumb!
- Color: Its back is black, but it has cool white, coppery, and orange spots or patches. Its belly is completely black. Sometimes, you might even see red spots on its tail!
Where Does It Live?
The San Gabriel slender salamander is very special because it only lives in one place in the world. It is found only in the San Gabriel Canyon system. This area is located within the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, California.
These salamanders typically live in higher places, usually above 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) in elevation. They prefer damp, cool environments found in these mountains.
Relatives of the Slender Salamander
The San Gabriel slender salamander is similar to some of its close relatives. These include the B. pacificus and the B. nigriventis. Scientists study these different species to understand how they are related and how they live in their environments.
