Fire salamander. All about the life of a fiery salamander

In ancient times, it was believed that the fire salamander (lat. Salamandra salamandra) is a vicious and extremely poisonous animal that can control the elements of fire. And this is not surprising, because when a cheerfully burning fire suddenly goes out and an unusual spotted creature suddenly appears from it, there is no time for jokes.

No one knows that the fire went out because of a too large wet log in which an unsuspecting salamander peacefully dozed off. She barely had time to jump out of the flame, and only the mucus produced by her skin glands and protecting the amphibian from drying out did not allow her to fry alive.

Pliny the Elder claimed that poison fire salamander capable of poisoning entire nations and woe to those who had the misfortune to meet her: even a simple touch will cause hair loss all over the body, and if the monster falls into the well, then the water in it will be poisoned forever.

Of course, no one was going to test this statement in practice, and only in the 17th century, scientists proved that the fire salamander is completely harmless to humans. In addition, she herself never attacks first, she does not have the opportunity to inject her poison into the blood, and only in a state of stress can she spray this viscous substance with the smell of almonds over a short distance. Accidentally hitting the mucous membrane, it will only briefly cause a burning sensation.

Poison can only kill small mammals, like rodents, but does not interfere with the digestion of a pig or a snake that ate a fiery salamander for lunch. She herself eats different insects, including spiders and butterfly caterpillars, as well as slugs, small newts and young frogs. For prey, the salamander abruptly rushes with its whole body and immediately tries to swallow it whole.

Active mainly in the evening and at night, as it does not tolerate high temperatures. During the day it hides under stones, trees and rotten snags, sometimes it digs out small shelters itself, although its short and strong limbs are not adapted for this.

Salamanders have four toes on their front paws and five on their hind paws. There are no membranes between them. A massive, rounded head with bulging large black eyes immediately turns into a stocky, large body. The round tail is very mobile.

The whole body, 16-19 cm long, is covered with yellow or orange spots of various shapes. Sometimes they merge, forming intricate patterns and stripes on a black background. The abdomen is monochromatic, painted black or brown.

The fire salamander lives in deciduous or mixed forests along the banks of rivers or small lakes in the east, south and center of Europe, as well as in the north of the Middle East. It is also known in Ukraine, where this species is found in Lvov, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions. True, here this animal is listed in the Red Book.

Average lifespan of a fire salamander wild nature barely reaches 14 years, but in captivity, some specimens managed to live up to 50. They reproduce by ovoviviparity, the larvae are released directly into the water, where they live for about 3-5 months, until the gills disappear. IN cold water this period can drag on until the end of autumn, and then the fire salamanders hibernate right in the water.

Adult individuals from October-November leave for wintering, hiding under a thick layer of fallen leaves or under the roots of trees. At the same time, they are collected in huge groups, sometimes even up to several hundred copies.

Salamander- This amphibious animal, which was feared by people in antiquity. Myths were composed about her, and mystical abilities were attributed to her. This is mainly due to its toxicity and bizarre coloring. If you translate her name from the language of the Persians, it will turn out - "burning from the inside."

salamander belong to animal class amphibians, although it resembles in appearance, do not confuse them. The latter are reptiles. The body of this representative of amphibians is elongated, and smoothly passes into the tail. Sizes range from 5-180 cm. The skin is moist and smooth to the touch.

The color scheme in which different types are painted salamanders, is almost limitless, it can be seen on the set photo these animals. Amphibian can be black, yellow, olive, red and other shades. And her back is decorated with stripes, dots and spots various forms and shades.

Salamanders have short and stocky legs. There are 4 fingers on the forelimbs, and 5 on the hind limbs. There are no claws. On the flattened head are bulging, dark eyes with fairly developed ages.

There are also special glands (mumps), which are characteristic of all amphibians. They then produce a poisonous secret that causes convulsions and paralysis in animals trying to eat them. These amphibians also have an amazing property: they can grow their lost limbs or tail. In the process of evolution, the group was divided into lungless, cryptogills and true salamanders.

They have a different respiratory system. Lungless breathe through the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth. Hidden gills use gills, and the latter have full-fledged lungs. Salamanders live in almost all countries, with a suitable warm and humid climate. But their greatest diversity is found in North America.

Salamander species

describe all kinds of it animal in one article is impossible, so below are the most unusual representatives groups salamander. The largest amphibian on the planet is the Chinese giant salamander. You can meet her only in the waters of this country. In length, it reaches 180 cm, and weighs more than 70 kg.

In the photo, the Chinese giant salamander

An unusual way of hunting in the next species - the Lusitanian salamander. She, like, catches prey with her tongue. Her body color is black, with two narrow golden stripes running along the ridge. She lives in Spain and Portugal.

Pictured is a Lusitanian salamander

The alpine salamander lives high in the mountains; it settles between rocks, near mountain rivers. The tree salamander deftly crawls along the trunks, jumps well along the branches and squeaks loudly. Her color is camouflage: a light or dark shade of brown. Lives in Mexico and California.

Salamander alpine

The most prolific spring salamander lives in the USA and Canada. She can lay more than 130 eggs at a time, she is easily recognized by her red color with small dark spots.

spring salamander

The most popular of salamander- This fiery. In addition, she is the longest life champion in her group - 50 years. She has a bright color: black and orange. She eschews water, and descends to it only during the breeding season. On photo you can see all the beauty fire salamander.

Pictured is a fire salamander

In the Carpathians, it is possible to find the most poisonous representative of this group - alpine black. In groups, these amphibians live in rock gorges and in damp forests. Their venom causes severe burns on mucous membranes in humans.

The nature and lifestyle of the salamander

Salamanders, although they are loners, but before hibernation, in October, they gather in groups. To survive together this unfavorable period for them on land, in heaps of fallen leaves. They hunt mainly at night, during the day they hide in shelters from the direct rays of the sun. Near their habitat, as a rule, there should be a reservoir.

They overtake prey with a sharp jerk, and cover it with their body. After a short struggle, they swallow the victim whole. natural enemies at salamanders a lot to save animal leaves its tail or limbs in their claws and teeth, and quickly runs away.

Although these amphibians are poisonous, their secret does not cause mortal harm to humans. It can only cause irritation on the hands, and if it gets on the mucous membranes, it can burn the mouth or eyes. Therefore, having touched an amphibian, it is necessary to wash your hands well so that you do not harm yourself through inaccuracy.

Today, many people want to keep this mythical amphibian at home. Buy fire salamander can be in special nurseries or pet stores. For life, they will need a large horizontal terrarium. A mixture of leaves, sphagnum and peat is usually poured onto its bottom. Inside arrange a small pond. The lighting should be subdued, and the temperature should not exceed 25 degrees.

Salamander food

The diet of a salamander largely depends on its habitat. Amphibians living on land feed on slugs and earthworms. Larger representatives may attack or small. Salamanders living in the water prefer to catch crayfish and amphibians.

Reproduction and lifespan of the salamander

On average, salamanders live for about 20 years, the duration depends on the size of the particular species. Small species reach puberty by 3 years, and large ones by 5. Hidden gills lay eggs, and real salamanders are viviparous or ovoviviparous.

Amphibians breed throughout the year, but the peak of activity is observed in the spring, after leaving hibernation. During this period, the gland filled with spermatophore swells in males. They lay it directly on the ground, and the female absorbs this material with a cloaca. In the aquatic environment, fertilization occurs differently: the male releases the spermatophore directly onto the laid eggs.

In viviparous, the development of larvae lasts 10-12 months in the womb. But out of 60 eggs, only 2 cubs are born, the rest of the eggs are only food for them. Aquatic amphibian larvae hatch after 2 months. And they are born with already formed gills.

The pygmy salamander attaches its eggs to the roots of underwater plants. Larvae appear after 2 months, and after another 3, young individuals come ashore and begin independent life.

Many of the species of these amazing animals are listed on the pages of the Red, and are on the verge of extinction. People make a lot of efforts to preserve these species: they create specialized nurseries and reserves.

Salamanders (Salamandra) - a genus of very unusual in appearance animals belonging to the order Tailed amphibians. The Salamander family and the Salamander genus also include several more advanced species that are distinguished by live birth and inhabit the land.

Description of the salamander

Translation of the name Salamander from Persian - "Burning from within". In their appearance, such tailed amphibians resemble a lizard, but are assigned to completely different classes: all lizards are of the Reptile class, and salamanders are of the Amphibian animal class.

Very original amphibians have amazing properties and are able to regrow a lost tail or limbs. In progress natural evolution all members of the group divided:

Salamanders are real (Salamandridae);
salamanders lungless (Plethodontidae);
Hiddengill salamanders (Cryptobranchhidae).

The smallest in the world are the pygmy salamander (Eurycea quadridigitata) with a body length of 50-89 mm, and the tiny salamander (Desmognathus wrighti), which grows up to five centimeters. Both species inhabit the northern states of the American continent.

Appearance

The main difference from the lizard is that the salamander has moist and smooth skin, as well as the complete absence of claws. The tailed amphibian has an elongated body that smoothly passes into the tail. Some species have a fairly dense and stocky physique, including

The fiery salamander, and for other members of the family, a slender and refined body is characteristic. All species are distinguished by short legs, but some have not too well developed limbs. Most species are distinguished by the presence of four fingers on each front foot, and five on the hind limbs.

The head of the salamander has an elongated and slightly flattened shape, bulging black eyes with, as a rule, fairly well developed eyelids. In the area of the head of an amphibian, there are specific skin glands called parotids, which are characteristic of absolutely all amphibians. The main function of these special glands is the production of a toxic secretion - bufotoxin, which contains alkaloids with a neurotoxic effect that quickly causes different types mammals develop seizures or paralysis.

This is interesting! Often in the color of the salamander several shades of different colors are combined at once, which are very originally transformed into stripes, specks and spots that differ in shape or size.

In accordance with species characteristics, the length of an adult individual can vary between 5-180 cm, and a distinctive feature of some representatives of long-tailed salamanders is that the length of the tail significantly exceeds the length of the body. The color of the salamander is also very diverse, but among the most beautiful views on this moment the Fire Salamander, which has a bright blackish-orange color, is quite deserved. The color of other representatives may well be simply plain, black, brown, yellow and olive, as well as gray or reddish.

Character and lifestyle

In water, salamanders move by bending their tail alternately to the left and right. On land, the animal moves only with the help of two pairs of rather underdeveloped limbs.

At the same time, the fingers on the limbs of some species of salamander have a characteristic extensible and leathery membrane, but are completely devoid of claws. All representatives of the Salamander family and the Salamander genus have simply a unique ability that allows the limbs and tail to regenerate.

The respiratory process of adults is provided by the lungs, skin or mucous membrane located inside the oral cavity. Representatives of the genus, constantly living in the aquatic environment, breathe with the help of the lungs and the external gill system. The gills of the salamander resemble feathery twigs that are located on the sides of the head. Animals of almost all species can hardly tolerate high temperatures. temperature conditions so they try to avoid sun rays and during the daytime they hide under stones, fallen trees or in abandoned burrows of animals.

This is interesting! The salamander is usually classified as an animal that leads a predominantly solitary lifestyle, but before falling into hibernation, around October, such tailed amphibians gather in groups, which allows them to survive the unfavorable period of the year.

Alpine salamanders prefer to inhabit the coastal zone of mountain streams, where they hide under numerous stones or in bushes, but fire salamanders are of particular interest, preferring mixed and deciduous forests, foothills and mountainous areas, as well as river banks. Tailed amphibians have a fairly strong attachment to a particular habitat, and most often lead a twilight or so-called night image life.

Fire salamanders are sedentary and slow animals, swim poorly and try to approach water bodies only at the breeding stage. In the period from October to the end of November, as a rule, they go for wintering, which lasts until the onset of spring heat. Representatives of the species spend winter hiding under the root system of trees or a thick layer of fallen leaves, often uniting in enough large groups, consisting of a couple of tens or several hundred individuals.

How long do salamanders live

The average recorded lifespan of tailed amphibians is approximately seventeen years. However, among the entire species diversity of this genus, there are also real centenarians. For example, the average life expectancy of the Japanese giant salamander may well exceed half a century. Fire salamanders live in captivity for about four to five decades, and in nature the total life expectancy of this species does not exceed, as a rule, fourteen years. Representatives of the species Alpine salamanders live in natural environment living for no more than ten years.

Salamander species

To date, salamanders are represented by seven main species, but only a few of them are the most studied:

Alpine or black salamander (Salamandra atra) - an animal resembling a fire salamander in appearance, but differing in a more slender body, smaller size and predominantly monochromatic brilliant black color (with the exception of the subspecies Salamandra atra aurorae, which has upper part body and head, painted in bright yellow). The length of an adult, as a rule, is no more than 90-140 mm. Alpine salamander subspecies: Salamandra atra atra, Salamandra atra aurorae and Salamandra atra prenjensis;
salamander lanza (salamander lanzai) is a tailed amphibian belonging to the family of true salamanders and named after the herpetologist from Italy Benedetto Lanza. Representatives of this species have a black body, an average length of 110-160 mm, a flat head, a rounded and pointed tail;
Pacific salamander (Ensatinа esсhsсholtzii) - a species characterized by a small and thick head, as well as a slender but strong body up to 145 mm long, covered on the sides with wrinkled and folded skin;
Fire, or spotted, common salamander (salamandra salamandra) is an animal that is currently one of the most famous species of Salamander and the largest representative of this family. The fire salamander is distinguished by a noticeable bright black and yellow color, and the length of adults may well reach 23-30 cm.

Subspecies related to the species Fire salamanders:

S. s. gallica;
S. s. Linneaus is the nominative subspecies;
S. s. alfredschmidti;
S. s. Müller and Hellmich;
S. s. bejarae Mertens and Müller;
S. s. bernardezi Gasser;
S. s. beschkovi Obst;
S. s. crespoi Malkmus;
S. s. fastuosa (bonalli) Eiselt;
S. s. galliaca Nikolskii;
S. s. gigliolii Eiselt and Lanza;
S. s. Mertens and Muller;
S. s. infraimmaculata;
S. s. longirostris Joger and Steinfartz;
S. s. morenica Joger and Steinfartz;
S. s. semenovi;
S. s. terrestris eiselt.

Also a typical representative of tailed amphibians, belonging to the family of real salamanders, is Salamandra infraimmaculata. The large amphibian reaches a length of 31-32 cm, but females are noticeably larger than males. Skin on the back are black with yellow or orange spots, and the abdomen is characterized by black staining.

Range, habitats

Alpine salamanders live in the central and eastern part of the Alps, at an altitude often exceeding seven hundred meters above the sea surface. They inhabit the territory of the southeastern part of Switzerland, western and central Austria, northern Italy and Slovenia, as well as the south of France and Germany. A limited population is found in Croatia and Bosnia, on the territory of Herzegovina and Liechtenstein, in Montenegro and Serbia.

Representatives of the Salamandra infraimmaculata species inhabit Western Asia and the Middle East region, from Turkey to the territory of Iran. Salamander Lanza is found exclusively in a very limited area in the western part of the Alps, on the border of France and Italy. Individuals of this species are found in the river valleys of Po, Germanaska, Gil and Pelliche. An isolated population was relatively recently found in the Chisone Valley in Italy.

This is interesting! In the Carpathians, the most poisonous representative of the family is found - the alpine black newt, whose poison is quite capable of causing severe burns on human mucous membranes.

Fire salamanders are inhabitants of forests and hilly areas in most of the territories in Eastern, Central and Southern Europe, as well as in the northern Middle East. The western border of the distribution range of this species is characterized by the capture of the territory of Portugal, the northeastern part of Spain and France. The northern borders of the range extend to the northern part of Germany and the southern territory of Poland.

The eastern borders reach the Carpathians on the territory of Ukraine, Romania, Iran and Bulgaria. A small number of fire salamander is found in the eastern part of Turkey. Despite their wide distribution, representatives of the species Fire, or spotted, common salamander are not found on the territory of the British Isles.

Salamander Diet

The Alpine salamander feeds on a variety of invertebrates.. Active mainly at night, Lanz's salamanders eat insects, spiders, larvae, isopods, mollusks and earthworms. Salamander species living in the aquatic environment prefer to catch a variety of medium-sized fish and crayfish, and also feed on crabs, molluscs and numerous amphibians.

This is interesting! The Lusitanian salamander is distinguished by an unusual way of hunting, which, like a frog, is able to catch prey with its tongue, has a black body color with a pair of narrow golden stripes on the ridge and inhabits the territory of Portugal, as well as Spain.

Fire salamanders also prefer to use various invertebrates, caterpillars, various butterflies, Diptera larvae, spiders and slugs, earthworms. Also, such tailed amphibians from the Salamander family and the Salamander genus can eat small newts and fairly young frogs. An adult salamander catches its prey by abruptly rushing forward with its whole body, after which it actively tries to swallow the caught prey whole.

Salamander – This amphibious animal, which was feared by people in antiquity. Myths were composed about her, and mystical abilities were attributed to her. This is mainly due to its toxicity and bizarre coloring. If you translate her name from the language of the Persians, it will turn out - "burning from the inside."

Spreading

Lives in Europe from Spain and Portugal in the west to western Russia, Turkey and Israel in the east. Some salamanders live exclusively in water and differ from their relatives in well-formed gills, for example, the Chinese giant salamander is a member of the family cryptogills. Salamanders, belonging to the family of cryptogills, live in the United States of America, in China and Japan.

Family lungless salamanders in the process of evolution, it completely lost its lungs, without receiving gills. Therefore, members of the family have to breathe with the help of the skin and mucous membranes of the oral cavity. These salamanders live in tropical and subtropical forests, in the mountains and lowlands, on plantations and in rustic gardens. Lungless salamanders are mainly inhabitants of the countries of the New World: they are distributed in territories covering the mountainous and wooded areas of Canada, including the tropics and subtropics of Bolivia and Brazil. Several species live in European countries, and only one species (lat. Karsenia koreana) can be found in South Korea.

Family representatives real salamanders leading mainly ground existence, have respiratory system represented by a pair of well-developed lungs. Real salamanders are widespread in Europe, live in the northwest African continent, in Asia Minor and China, small species populations are found in Indochina and India, the range also captures areas from southern Canada to the northern regions of Mexico. Only four species of salamanders live in Russia.

Appearance

All salamanders are similar in structure: they have an elongated body, a long tail, underdeveloped limbs and a small head. These animals move much better in water (as already mentioned, this mainly refers to the lungless type), precisely because of their short and undeveloped legs. Such tailed amphibians are very interesting in a variety of colors and sizes: in nature you can find amazing representatives some species that really look like miniature dragons.

An animal belonging to any type of salamander has movable eyelids, due to which it can examine the environment around it.

In addition, in such tailed amphibians, the jaws are very poorly developed, and in general the oral region is not conducive to eating solid food. The fire salamander has a rather unusual coloration that will definitely attract the attention of any unlucky tourist. But behind the bright appearance lies a toxic poison that can kill several living creatures at once.

Most of all, this dangerous animal resembles a familiar lizard, for example, a gecko, while the differences between them are easily noticeable upon closer inspection. The point is not only in the coloring, which is more prominent in salamanders, but also in other factors. Poisonous amphibians have a slimy, long body and bright eyes.

In many myths, the salamander is designated as a servant of the dark forces. Partly because of its danger to surrounding creatures, but also because of its unusual appearance, any member of the family was considered a serious threat to people in the past. At the same time, the poison of this amphibian cannot kill a person, the maximum effect after it is a burn.

Salamander species

The modern classification includes several hundred species of salamanders, which belong to various families. Below is a description of several varieties of salamanders:

, she is spotted salamander or common salamander (lat. Salamandra salamandra)- the most numerous species in the European territory, whose representatives are distinguished by their large size, long life span (up to 50 years in captivity) and bright aposematic (warning) coloration. The length of the salamander, together with the tail, is from 23 to 30 cm. The main color of the body is black, strewn with contrasting orange or yellow spots, which are evenly distributed throughout the body, but differ in irregular shape. Symmetry is present only on the paws and head. From many representatives of the family, the fire salamander is distinguished by live birth and fear of water. Animals are forced to descend into water bodies only during the breeding season.

Lusitanian salamander (golden-striped salamander) (lat. Chioglossa lusitanica)– rare view amphibian, whose representatives grow up to 15-16 cm in length, but have a very long tail, which is 2/3 of the total length of the body. The color of the salamander is black, along the ridge there are 2 thin golden stripes or golden spots arranged in a row. The entire surface of the back is dotted with small blue dots. Distinctive feature animal lies in the fact that the Lusitanian salamander catches prey with the help of a tongue thrown forward, as frogs do. The salamander lives exclusively in the northern regions of Spain and Portugal.

Alpine salamander (black salamander) (lat. Salamandra atra) outwardly resembles a fiery one, but differs in a more elegant body and a uniform black color of the skin. The body length of adult animals reaches 9-14 cm (sometimes 18 cm). Alpine salamanders live at altitudes up to 700 meters above sea level, preferring rocky landscapes and the banks of mountain streams. The range of the species passes through the central and eastern regions of the Alpine ranges: from Switzerland and Austria to Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro.

spectacled salamander, she is tarantolina(lat. Salamandrina terdigitata) is distinguished by a V-shaped pattern located on the head, the shape of which resembles glasses. Body color is dark brown, almost black, "glasses" can be red, yellow or white. The belly of the salamander is bright red, which the animal demonstrates to the enemy as a frightening technique. The range of the species is extremely narrow: the spectacled salamander can only be found in southern Italy, in moist forests Apennine mountains.

Caucasian salamander (lat. Mertensiella caucasica)- a rare species of long-tailed salamanders with a body length of not more than 15 cm, most which makes up the tail. The body is narrow, brown or black, in most representatives of the species it is covered with bright yellow oval spots, which resembles a fire salamander. But unlike the latter, the Caucasian salamander moves quickly, like a lizard, and swims well. The animal belongs to the category of vulnerable and lives exclusively in wooded areas and along the banks of water bodies in the territories of Turkey and Georgia.

Thin salamander (lat. Plethodon richmondi) distinguished by a thick head, graceful physique and strong well-developed legs. The body length of the salamander is from 7.5 to 14.5 cm. The body is brown or black, covered with silvery spots. The salamander lives in the northeastern states of the USA (Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky).

Spring salamander (lat. Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) extremely prolific and capable of laying up to 132 eggs. The body, which grows from 12 to 23 cm in length, is distinguished by a bright red or orange-yellow color with small dark spots. The salamander lives in the territories of the USA and Canada in the mountainous regions of the Appalachians.

Pacific salamander (lat. Ensatina eschscholtzii) it is distinguished by a small thick head, a strong slender body about 14.5 cm long and wrinkled skin on the sides, forming small folds. A typical inhabitant of the mountainous landscapes of Canada, the USA and Mexico.

Tree salamander (lat. Aneides lugubris) grows in length from 7 to 12 cm and has a nondescript light or dark brown color. The salamander has a muscular tail, on which it rests, deftly climbing trees, jumps well over short distances and squeaks loudly. The narrow range of the species is limited US state California and Mexican state Lower California.

The nature and lifestyle of the salamander

Salamanders, although they are loners, but before hibernation, in October, they gather in groups. To survive together this unfavorable period for them on land, in heaps of fallen leaves.

They hunt mainly at night, during the day they hide in shelters from the direct rays of the sun. Near their habitat, as a rule, there should be a reservoir. They overtake prey with a sharp jerk, and cover it with their body. After a short struggle, they swallow the victim whole.

The salamander has many natural enemies, in order to escape, the animal leaves its tail or limbs in their claws and teeth, and quickly runs away.

Although these amphibians are poisonous, their secret does not cause mortal harm to a person. It can only cause irritation on the hands, and if it gets on the mucous membranes, it can burn the mouth or eyes. Therefore, having touched an amphibian, it is necessary to wash your hands well so that you do not harm yourself through inaccuracy.

Today, many people want to keep this mythical amphibian at home. You can buy a fire salamander in special nurseries or in pet stores. For life, they will need a large horizontal terrarium. A mixture of leaves, sphagnum and peat is usually poured onto its bottom. Inside arrange a small pond. The lighting should be subdued, and the temperature should not exceed 25 degrees.

What do salamanders eat?

They are classified as nocturnal. In the wild, they go hunting at night. From night to dawn, they are able to track down their prey. To get food, salamanders pounce on the victim with their whole body and then try to swallow it whole.

The diet of animals depends on the habitat. Individuals living in water feed small fish, snails, crayfish, mollusks, crabs, as well as small insects, amphibians, mammals.

Living on the ground, the salamander preys on larvae, snails, worms, slugs, and also eats various insects. Among them: butterflies, mosquitoes, spiders and flies. Large members of the family catch small newts and young frogs.

Reproduction and lifespan of the salamander

On average, salamanders live for about 20 years, the duration depends on the size of the particular species. Small species reach puberty by 3 years, and large ones by 5.

Hidden gills lay eggs, while true salamanders are viviparous or ovoviviparous.

Reproduction: males in mating season very active and ready to pounce on any moving object that looks like a female, they also fight with each other for the female's attention. Fertilization is internal, either on land or in water. Shortly before the larvae appear, the females enter the water. Large larvae in the womb of the salamander mother eat their sisters and brothers, who are slightly smaller. The larvae have no connection with their mother, she gives them nothing but shelter. The usual fecundity of the female is 6-30 larvae.
Season/breeding period: from spring to autumn.
Puberty: occurs at the age of 3-4 years.
courtship ritual: the male grabs the female from below. The spermatophore is deposited on the body of the female, and the male, helping her, moves it with his paws closer to the cloaca. The female captures the spermatophore with the cloaca.
Caviar incubation: lasts 8-10 months.
Development: in the water, the female salamander gives birth to almost fully formed larvae (weight about 0.2 g, length 25-30 mm). They have three pairs of feathery external gills, at the base of the limbs are noticeable yellow spots, the tail is long, flattened, trimmed with a wide fin fold, turning into a crest on the back. The head is large, round, the body is high, laterally compressed. Fire salamander larvae are predators, often engaged in cannibalism. The larval period lasts all summer, metamorphosis ends in August-September, with a larvae 50-60 mm long. Fully formed small salamanders begin to breathe with their lungs and leave the pond. Before the end of metamorphosis, the larvae begin to crawl along the bottom, often rising to the surface of the water for air.

They keep the houses of these amphibians in a terrarium. At its bottom it is necessary to fill the soil. It should be a mixture of earth, moss, coal and peat. Salamanders love to burrow into moss. But it dries up pretty quickly. Therefore, it must be updated periodically. To create conditions as close to natural as possible, it is important to place something else in the pet's house. These are dry snags, stones, it is also good to plant a few living plants.

Amphibian enjoys taking baths. Therefore, it is necessary to place a reservoir in the terrarium. Be sure to keep it clean. Change the water from time to time and rinse the container. It is not recommended to place two males in one house. The ideal option is several females and one male.

The salamander does not tolerate heat very well. Therefore, the terrarium is best placed in dark places. For lighting, use fluorescent lamps, which must be purchased separately. Buy a humidifier too. The humidity in the pet's home should be constantly maintained at a level of at least 75%.

Often picking up an amphibian is not advised. Animals do not like too long tactile contact. In addition, they secrete a secret that can cause irritation on the skin. It is important to create a balanced diet for your pet. Despite keeping in captivity, salamanders have an excellent appetite. The main thing is not to overfeed them. You need to give food 2 times a day. Please note that pets can completely refuse food for several days, or even weeks. This is normal before the molt and during the heat.

The main diet of salamanders should consist of live insects. These are slugs, butterflies, beetles, crickets, caterpillars and flies. Sometimes you can give some fresh fish, beef liver or heart - also raw.

Salamander breeding

Puberty in salamanders occurs at the age of two to four years, usually when they reach a length of 12-14 cm. Mating occurs after wintering. Therefore, if you plan to breed amphibians, then they need to create artificial wintering - first lower the temperature to +8 ... +14 degrees, and then (in April) raise it to +18 ... +23. Plus, you can place more items in the terrarium, where the couple can hide. During wintering, amphibians are not offered food.

Mating starts from April-May. Salamanders are viviparous animals, so 9-10 months after fertilization, the female will lay the larvae in the water. The number of larvae can reach 25-30.

Immediately after the birth of the babies, it will be necessary to place them in a separate aquarium with mandatory aeration and filtration and maintaining a water temperature of + 12-17 degrees. The aquarium must have a piece of land. You need to feed the babies with coretra, cyclops, daphnia, etc. After three to five months, the cubs will reach a size of 5 cm and will be able to go to land.

Health and characteristic diseases

Diseases characteristic of tailed amphibians:

If during the molt you notice that the salamander is passive and often freezes, do not worry. This is normal during this period. She just needs to be left alone and not picked up. The amphibian falls into a state of stupor and winter time, as well as during bad weather. Salamander is an excellent exotic pet.

Having started such a miracle in your home, you will definitely not be bored, because observing the behavior of an exotic brings great pleasure. The amphibian feels great in captivity, does not require special care and does not cause any problems in the form of noise, dirt or other discomfort. It can be started by a beginner. You can buy a salamander at a price of 15 to 40 dollars.

The fire salamander, like all species in this family, has a toxic venom that resides on the surface of its skin. It is secreted by the parotid glands, and this process occurs constantly. The peculiarity is that if, for example, a dog eats a salamander, it will soon die.
The poison of these animals in chemistry is called salamandrin. For humans, it is really dangerous only when ingested, which is why the use of these amphibians for food is prohibited. It is also noteworthy that they use their poison solely for the purpose of self-defense, and not for hunting.
The giant salamander prefers to be in the water, or to be more precise: in cold and fast-flowing mountain streams. And, despite its large size, this animal does not disdain to eat insects and crustaceans, alternating them with fish. The period of activity of this species: night time.
All salamanders have the ability to regenerate not only the tail, but also the rest of the limbs. In this feature, they resemble lizards, but in this factor they also overtake them in development.
They say that the fire (spotted) salamander breeds only when a severe thunderstorm is raging. Similarly, in times of turmoil, ignorant people try to achieve some position in society.
According to Germanic mythology, this family of amphibians personifies the spirit of fire. Moreover, the Germans in their histories attribute to salamanders the ability to endure burning temperatures without any damage. From the point of view of the Christian faith, these creatures are the messengers of the devil. And indeed, judging by the way the salamander looks, one might get such an impression.
Many species are listed in the Red Book, as they are endangered. This is due to the fact that animals are hunted to get poison. And in certain countries, their meat is considered a delicacy.
The official symbol of Alabama (USA) is the burrowing salamander.
IN sunny days the amphibian does not come out of the cool and dark shelter. Those who plot to commit a crime under the cover of night behave in a similar way.
The salamander is not a lizard, but belongs to the class of amphibians. In the same way, do not confuse foul language and a demon from the depths of hell.
If from poison spotted salamander hair falls out, then honor and good name of a person are lost from slander.
The beautiful spots on the back of the animal can symbolize the hypocrisy that always wears an attractive mask.

Video

Classification

View: salamander

Squad: tailed amphibians

Type: chordates

Family: real salamanders

Subfamily: salamanders

Class: amphibians

Dimensions: body length - 15 mm - 170 cm, in most cases - 20 - 25 cm; body weight - from 30 mg to 80 kg

Lifespan: averaging 20 - 25 years, but can reach 50 years of age in captivity.

The salamander is mysterious creature, which has been described in many ancient myths and stories. Sometimes she was even called the messenger of hell, which is largely due to the toxicity of the whole species.

And even now, when this amphibian is fully studied, it still inspires fear in some.

The salamander is mysterious creature, which has been described in many ancient myths and stories. Christians even called her the messenger of hell, which is largely due to the poisonousness of the whole species.

And even now, when this amphibian is fully studied, it still inspires fear in some people.

The salamander group is the most numerous among amphibians. Varieties of these amphibians can be found in different parts of the world, while each individual representative will be somewhat different.

Habitat

If you want to look at the maximum variety of salamanders, then you should go to North America- this part of the world reptiles densely chose.

They also live in Asia and Europe, and some certain types are located in those places where they are most comfortable, regardless of the presence of family brethren nearby.

So, for example, in eastern China you can see the largest of the existing salamanders. The giant reptile reaches 80 kg in weight and 180-190 cm in length (together with the tail part of the body).

This species is called Chinese-giant, and despite its external danger, its representatives eat modestly: small fish, amphibians and invertebrates that live in the water.

The giant salamander is considered the largest amphibian at the moment, so it stands out not only among its species.

This is what it looks like giant salamander. This reptile prefers to live in forests, on hills, but there must be a reservoir nearby.

The Chinese gigantic variety of these creatures begins to slowly die out, which is why the relevant organizations hold various rallies and put all their efforts into preserving the species.

So despite the rather horrendous appearance, reptiles are actively protected.

Interesting!The fire salamander is the most common representative of this family, lives in the vastness of Europe, but it can also be found in Germany, Poland and Portugal. Separate populations come across even in Turkey.

Characteristic

There are salamanders different types and size, but they all equally pose a threat to other creatures. The fire salamander, just like all other species, is a poisonous amphibian.

It is important to consider that members of the family are divided into two types:

real;
lungless.

The latter are distinguished by the absence of lungs and can breathe exclusively through the skin.

This family has about 400 species at the moment, and this figure for tailed amphibians is simply huge.

But the number of real salamanders is even greater, and it is constantly increasing: scientists are still discovering new populations around the world to this day.

By the way, it is the lungless type of these amphibians that can be seen much more often when they are in the water.

Tailed amphibians, which have a complete set of necessary organs, are much more likely to get ashore and calmly walk along it.

Salamanders, which belong to the lungless type, are outwardly different from their counterparts. Their body is very elongated, which is why such reptiles most of all resemble snakes. In the photo you can see what a salamander looks like, which does not have lungs.

Interesting!A giant salamander, if placed vertically, would exceed the height of an average male. In length, this animal reaches 1.7 meters, thanks to which it is the owner of the title "the largest tailed amphibian." Well, the smallest representative of the family does not exceed the size of a 5-kopeck coin.

Appearance

All salamanders are similar in structure: they have an elongated body, a long tail, underdeveloped limbs and a small head.

These animals move much better in water (as already mentioned, this mainly refers to the lungless type), precisely because of their short and undeveloped legs.

Such tailed amphibians are very interesting in a variety of colors and sizes: in nature you can find amazing representatives of some species that really look like miniature dragons.

An animal belonging to any type of salamander has movable eyelids, due to which it can examine the environment around it.

In addition, in such tailed amphibians, the jaws are very poorly developed, and in general the oral region is not conducive to eating solid food.

The fire salamander has a rather unusual coloration that will definitely attract the attention of any unlucky tourist. But behind the bright appearance lies a toxic poison that can kill several living creatures at once.

Most of all, this dangerous animal resembles a familiar lizard, for example, while the differences between them are easily noticeable upon closer inspection.

The point is not only in the coloring, which is more prominent in salamanders, but also in other factors. Poisonous amphibians have a slimy, long body and bright eyes.

Interesting!In many myths, the salamander is designated as a servant of the dark forces. Partly because of its danger to surrounding creatures, but also because of its unusual appearance, any member of the family was considered a serious threat to people in the past. At the same time, the poison of this amphibian cannot kill a person, the maximum effect after it is a burn.

Key Features

A lot has already been written about what a salamander looks like, but there is one more thing in her appearance. interesting feature which distinguishes it from many amphibians: the absence of webbing between the fingers.

Such a factor may seem insignificant, but even it calls into question the belonging of this creature to this particular type of animal.

In the photo - alpine black newt, one of the most poisonous representatives of the salamander class. At the same time, its length rarely exceeds 12 cm, and this animal lives preferably in gorges and dense forests.

On this Interesting Facts not ending, here are a few more of them:

The fire salamander, like all species in this family, has a toxic venom that resides on the surface of its skin. It is secreted by the parotid glands, and this process occurs constantly. The peculiarity is that if, for example, a dog eats a salamander, it will soon die.
The poison of these animals in chemistry is called salamandrin. For humans, it is really dangerous only when ingested, which is why the use of these amphibians for food is prohibited. It is also noteworthy that they use their poison solely for the purpose of self-defense, and not for hunting.
The giant salamander prefers to be in the water, or to be more precise: in cold and fast-flowing mountain streams. And despite its large size, this animal does not disdain to eat insects and crustaceans, alternating them with fish. The period of activity of this species: night time.
All salamanders have the ability to regenerate not only the tail, but also the rest of the limbs. In this feature, they resemble lizards, but in this factor they also overtake them in development.
According to Germanic mythology, this family of amphibians personifies the spirit of fire. Moreover, the Germans in their histories attribute to salamanders the ability to endure burning temperatures without any damage. From the point of view of the Christian faith, these creatures are the messengers of the devil. And indeed, judging by the way the salamander looks, one might get such an impression.

Not all species of these amphibians have a frightening appearance, as many have a neutral coloration. But the fiery salamander easily inspires fear with just one color: bright yellow or orange spots on a black, sometimes brown body.

Interesting!This animal hibernates like many others. Around October, the poisonous amphibian hides in a pile of fallen leaves, and sometimes even huddles together with its fellows.

Nutrition

The diet of such a tailed amphibian as a salamander depends to a small extent on its species.

Predators among these animals can be counted on the fingers of one hand, while the populations of the family are found in all corners of the world.

This is largely due to the underdeveloped jaw and the inherent laziness of this group. In general, the daily menu of each of its representatives most often includes:

caterpillars;
spiders and butterflies;
slugs and earthworms;
small newts and frogs (the fire salamander especially loves them).

If we talk about larger individuals of these amphibians, then they prefer to use;

small amphibians;
crustaceans.

Such a diet is preferred by the giant salamander and some other individuals of this family that live in water bodies. These creatures go hunting at night, during the day their activity is extremely low.

In addition, they prefer not to attack predators, and reduce the chance of encountering potential enemies to a minimum.

In the photo you can see how a giant salamander is located in the hands of a man. This again challenges the notion that these creatures are capable of eating humans.

Interesting!By the way, there is also a myth about the immortality of the salamander. At one time, people were so afraid of these animals that they attributed fantastic abilities to them, so that some facts of the past regarding this family are greatly distorted.

reproduction

The fire salamander prefers to breed immediately after hibernation. During this period, she shows maximum activity and is completely ready for fertilization.

This process, as well as mating games, have these ambitions runs dry.

In males, a special sac is formed in which the germ cells (spermatophore) are located.

As soon as it is fully formed, the male lays it on the ground. After that, the female is pressed against the spermatophore, as a result of which fertilization occurs.

Eventually, the female may deposit the "finished" cells into the water, or else continue to carry them around. Small larvae can also be born in two ways:

hatching from eggs directly into the water;
after the birth process.

It all depends on the mother of the offspring and her choice. By the way, scientists have not been precisely established exactly how the salamanders do it.

Apparently, maternal instinct is responsible for these actions, but this theory is not 100% verified.

The cub turns into an adult upon reaching 3 years of age. After that, he can live for about 12-15 more years and breed regularly.

Interesting!Individuals aged 50 years or more are seen very rarely. As a rule, such salamanders grow in their natural environment and, until the last moment, are able to provide themselves with waste products.

At one time, there was a rumor on the net that a 200-year-old giant salamander had been found in China. This information was disseminated not only by entertainment portals, but also by serious publications. The photo is just the same individual caught by an ordinary fisherman.

Interesting!China is one of the few countries in the world where salamanders are still eaten. It is about the most major representatives families. For medical purposes, some parts of the body and substances extracted from the body of this amphibian are also used.

Like many other dangerous animals, salamanders can be safely kept in their own apartment, observing necessary measures safety and proper care.

For these amphibians, as well as when keeping , and, it is best to buy a horizontal or cubic terrarium.

To fill it with the right soil, you can use a mixture of moss, bark, peat, earth and charcoal. At the same time, moss will need to be constantly replaced, since it will not be able to grow in a terrarium.

Important rules for keeping a salamander:

Do not overheat the place in which the amphibian is kept, because of this it will not be able to breathe comfortably. These animals tolerate low temperatures very well.
The period of hunger for this reptile is the norm. She may not eat during the molting period.
As lighting, it is better to use lamps that do not affect the temperature, or rather, fluorescent ones. To decorate the terrarium, you can use plants and large stones.
We must not forget about the importance of the reservoir, in which you need to regularly replace the water.

Fire salamander in a terrarium. This baby moves actively and clearly feels great.

Salamander: miniature dragon with a rich history

The salamander looks like an ordinary small amphibian with interesting colors, but the history of its species is fraught with many mysterious myths and secrets. In addition, this creature can move in water and has the ability to regenerate limbs.

$mob_info$