Golden thorius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden thorius |
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The Thorius aureus, also known as the golden thorius, is a special kind of salamander. It belongs to a group called Thorius, which are tiny Mexican pigmy salamanders. These salamanders are part of the lungless salamander family. This means they don't have lungs! Instead, they breathe through their skin. The golden thorius lives only in the mountains of north central Oaxaca State in Mexico. It is one of the biggest species in its group.
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What's in a Name? The Golden Thorius
The name aureus comes from Latin. It means "golden" or "splendid." This name was chosen because of the bright, golden stripe that runs down the salamander's back. It's a very clear and beautiful mark on this animal.
Appearance: What Does the Golden Thorius Look Like?
The golden thorius is a slender salamander. It has a narrow head and a long tail. Even though it's slender, it's considered large for a Thorius species. Males are about 21 to 29 millimeters (less than 1.2 inches) long from snout to vent. Females are a bit bigger, measuring 22 to 35 millimeters (about 1.4 inches).
Its tail is quite long. It can be more than one time the length of its body! The total length of this salamander can reach about 57 millimeters (around 2.2 inches). That makes it one of the largest salamanders in its genus.
Females have a rounded snout, but males have a more pointed one. Their eyes stick out a bit, and they have clear grooves near their nose called nasolabial grooves. Their nostrils are small and oval-shaped. Unlike some other Thorius species, the golden thorius has teeth in its upper jaw.
Its legs are short, and its hands and feet are slender. The fingers and toes are partly joined together but are free at the tips. The top of its body is light brown. The most special feature is a wide, golden stripe along its spine. This stripe is widest on its head and back. It gets narrower at its shoulders. You might also see some brown, V-shaped marks on this golden stripe.
Where Does the Golden Thorius Live?
The golden thorius lives in a very small area in Mexico. You can find it around the top of Cerro Pelón. This mountain is on the northern slopes of the Sierra Juárez, Oaxaca. It lives at high altitudes, between 2,600 and 3,000 meters (about 8,500 to 9,800 feet) above sea level.
Its home is in mixed forests. These forests have oak, fir, and pine trees. It also lives in cloud forests, which are very misty and damp. During the day, the golden thorius hides under rocks and fallen logs. This is because it is a nocturnal animal, meaning it is active at night. It searches for food when it's dark.
Life Cycle and Diet of the Golden Thorius
Scientists don't know much about the life of the golden thorius. It is thought to eat small creatures. These include grubs, insects, and other tiny invertebrates. It finds its food among the fallen leaves on the forest floor. It also looks for food under the bark of rotting logs.
No one has ever seen the eggs of the golden thorius. However, scientists believe that the eggs are laid on land. They also think that the young salamanders develop directly from the eggs. This means they don't go through a tadpole stage like frogs. Instead, they hatch as tiny versions of the adult salamander.
Conservation Status: Why is it in Danger?
The golden thorius is in serious trouble. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as "Critically Endangered." This is the highest risk category for animals. It means the species faces an extremely high risk of disappearing forever.
At one time, this salamander was common in its small home area. But by 2008, scientists could barely find any. There was only one sighting in several years before that. The golden thorius prefers to live in old, untouched forests. It doesn't do well in areas where trees have been cut down and new ones are growing.
Even though some logging happens where it lives, it's not enough to explain why so many have disappeared. The main reason for its dramatic population drop is still a mystery. Scientists are working to understand what is happening to this unique golden salamander.
