Yucatán mushroomtongue salamander facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yucatán mushroomtongue salamander |
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The Yucatán mushroomtongue salamander (Bolitoglossa yucatana), also called the Yucatán salamander, is a type of salamander. It belongs to the family Plethodontidae. You can find this unique creature in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and the very northern part of Belize. It might even live in Guatemala too.
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About the Yucatán Mushroomtongue Salamander
This salamander gets its name from its special tongue, which is shaped a bit like a mushroom! It helps the salamander catch its food.
Where It Lives
The Yucatán mushroomtongue salamander likes to live in warm, wet places. Its natural habitats include lowland tropical forests and thorn forests. These are areas with lots of trees and thorny bushes, usually below 150 m (490 ft) above sea level.
You can also find these salamanders in areas near villages where the land has been changed by people. They mostly live on the ground, hiding under leaves, logs, and other things. They also like to live in sinkholes, which are natural holes in the ground. Sometimes, they even climb into trees to live inside bromeliad plants, which are like air plants that grow on other plants.
Protecting This Salamander
Sadly, the Yucatán mushroomtongue salamander is facing threats. Its biggest problem is habitat loss. This happens when its natural home is destroyed or changed, often because of human activities like building or farming.
However, there are efforts to protect this salamander. It lives in several protected areas. These include the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. In Belize, it can be found in the Shipstern Conservation & Management Area and the Fireburn Nature Reserve. These places help keep their habitats safe.
See also
In Spanish: Salamandra lengua de hongo yucateca para niños
