San Gil climbing salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Gil climbing salamander |
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The San Gil climbing salamander (also called Bolitoglossa nicefori) is a type of salamander. It belongs to a group of salamanders known as Plethodontidae. This salamander lives only in Colombia. It likes to live in warm, wet forests. Sometimes, it can even be found in coffee farms. Losing their habitat (the places they live) is the biggest danger to them. But don't worry, they are not close to becoming extinct right now. This salamander is named after Antoine Rouhaire. He was a French naturalist, also known as Brother Nicéforo María. He was the first person to find a special example of this salamander.
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What Does the San Gil Climbing Salamander Look Like?
San Gil climbing salamanders have webbed hands and feet. This means their fingers and toes are connected by skin, like a duck's foot! They do not have special pads on the bottom of their toes. Their bodies are reddish-brown with pale, uneven spots on their backs. Their bellies are brown with cream-colored marks.
These salamanders can be different sizes. They range from about 29 to 77 millimeters long. That's about the length of a few paperclips! Adult female salamanders are usually bigger than the males.
Where Do San Gil Climbing Salamanders Live?
The San Gil climbing salamander lives in different places in the East Andes mountains of Colombia. You can find them in areas like Piedecuesta and Los Santos. These places are in the Santander department of Colombia.
They live on the western slopes of the Colombian Eastern Mountain Range. They are found at heights between 1,400 and 2,400 meters above sea level. This area is a tropical forest that has been changed by people. It gets about 1,160 millimeters of rain each year. The average temperature is around 17.36 degrees Celsius.
These salamanders can live both in trees and on the ground. Most of them (about 85%) have been found on plants. This includes coffee plants on large farms in Colombia. Female salamanders that are about to lay eggs stay in the leaf litter. They do this between January and March.
What Do San Gil Climbing Salamanders Eat?
San Gil climbing salamanders eat many different kinds of arthropods. Arthropods are creatures like insects and spiders. Their favorite foods are ants, beetles, and fly larvae (young flies). Sometimes, tiny bits of plants have been found in their stomachs.
These salamanders hunt in two ways. They might actively look for food. Or, they might "sit and wait" for their prey to come close. Even though they eat a lot, their hunting does not greatly affect the number of their prey species.
San Gil Climbing Salamander Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female San Gil climbing salamanders reproduce during the dry months. This happens between April and June. They lay their eggs and protect them during the dry season. The baby salamanders hatch when the rainy season begins. This is when there is enough moisture for them to grow and move around.
Things like the weather, their small living spaces, and how much food is available can affect this process. Females lay one group of eggs each year. This group, called a clutch, can have anywhere from 20 to 50 eggs. Mating usually happens around the same time the eggs are laid.
Male and female San Gil climbing salamanders look different in size. This is called sexual dimorphism. Males grow to be about 29 to 50 millimeters long when they are adults. Females are much larger. They can reach a length of 39 to 75 millimeters. Scientists think it takes these salamanders about 6 years to become fully grown.
See also
In Spanish: Bolitoglossa nicefori para niños
