Salamanders

Amphibians vs. Reptiles  Both: ectothermic (cold-blooded), secretive, members of food chain  Amphibians  Moist skin, can breathe through it  2 different life stages  Defense = poison in skin  Frogs, salamanders, toads, newts  Reptiles  Scales, dry skin  Breathe air through lungs  Nails and teeth, venom  Habitat differences

General Salamander Info  Classifications: salamanders, newts, sirens, caecilians  Largest species: Chinese giant salamander (5ft)  Smallest species: seepage salamander (1-2in)  88 species in NC  Aquatic and terrestrial habitats  Water essential

Role in the Ecosystem  Balance insect and invertebrate populations  Natural pest control  Prey for mammals, birds, fish  Secondary consumer  Indicator species  More?

Spotted Salamander  Black body, distinct spots on body  East US from Canada to Texas  Carnivores  Unique spot code  Cowan’s Ford research

Marbled Salamander  Gray to black with silvery crossbands  NE US to Georgia  Woodlands  Carnivores

Tiger Salamander  Largest terrestrial salamander in the world (13in)  Stripes from yellow to orange  Coastal plain on NC  Northern Mexico to southern Canada  Dig burrows  Generalist predators

Red Spotted Newt  3 life stages  Larva, eft, adult  Efts are toxic and bright red, have mimics  Adults are green with red spots  Eastern US  Carnivores

And Many More!  Aquatic, terrestrial, gills, lungs, no lungs, small, large – a large range of characteristics  Incredible diversity  Threats (main 6), cryptic species, more research needed!  Additional resources:  