Spectacled salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spectacled salamander |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salamandrina
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| Species: |
terdigitata
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| Distribution in Italy: red - S. perspicillata green - S. terdigitata |
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The spectacled salamander (Salamandrina terdigitata) is a small, special type of salamander found only in Italy. It gets its name from a V-shaped mark on its head that looks a bit like spectacles! This amazing creature is part of the Salamandridae family.
Contents
Discovering the Spectacled Salamander
Where Does It Live?
This salamander lives only in the southern Apennine Range mountains in Italy. It likes humid valleys and shady hillsides. You can find it at heights between 200 and 1,200 meters above sea level. Further north, its relative, the S. perspicillata, lives. The spectacled salamander is very important for scientists. It helps them understand how healthy the environment is. This is why it is called an indicator species.
What Does It Look Like?
The spectacled salamander has a unique look. It has four toes on its back feet, which is different from most other salamanders and newts that have five. Its back is brownish-black and looks a bit warty. Its sides have a ribbed appearance.
A creamy white, V-shaped mark sits between its eyes, giving it its "spectacled" name. Its belly has black and white patterns. The underside of its legs and tail are a bright pinkish-red color.
How Does It Behave?
You can usually find the spectacled salamander near streams. It likes to hide in thick plants, under leaf litter, dead wood, or stones. It is a nocturnal animal, meaning it is active at night. It also lives on land, not in water.
When this salamander feels threatened, it has a special trick. It raises its tail and legs. This shows off its bright red underside. This warning display is called an unkenreflex. It tells predators to stay away because the salamander might taste bad or be harmful. Other animals, like newts and the Apennine yellow-bellied toad, use similar warning colors. This is known as aposematism.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Spectacled salamanders mate on land during the spring. The female lays about 30 to 50 eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae, which are like baby salamanders. The larvae take about two to three months to grow and develop.
The female salamander goes into the water only to lay her eggs. Once the male salamander has grown into an adult, he stays away from water completely.
