Life of the Aquatic Salamander
We wanted to use this article to discuss information specific to an aquatic salamander but keep in mind that for the salamander reptile, more than 500 unique species exist. These lizard-like creatures have long, lean bodies, short snouts, and extremely long tails. All salamanders to include an aquatic salamander have been around since the beginning of time, proven by the many fossils discovered.
As an amphibian, the aquatic salamander has special skin that makes it possible for them to live close to or actually in the water. With a natural repellent, the salamander is protected not just by water but also mud and dirt. In fact, the aquatic salamander will spend time in the water and then bury deem in moist soil or dirt where they will sleep or hide.
Usually, the aquatic salamander is found throughout North America but they do well in any damp region with warm temperatures. The average size of the salamander is six inches although some to include the Megalobatrachus japonicas from Japan can grow upwards of five feet in length. Because this reptile is relatively easy to handle and keep in captivity, the smaller species are often kept as pets.
For adults, most are terrestrial but some, to include aquatic salamander are more aquatic and a small number of arboreal, which means they prefer digging caves and living inside. Almost all species of salamander are nocturnal, which means they do everything at night. Not liking sunlight, even the aquatic salamander will wait until the sun goes down to hunt for food, move around, and network with other salamanders.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the aquatic salamander and others is that if attacked, they can actually lose a tail or leg without being permanently damaged. Instead, if prey were to grab hold of a foot, the aquatic salamander could get away by letting the leg come off. While this sounds horrific, the truth is that the salamander can grow a new leg or tail.
As far as diet, the aquatic salamander loves snails, worms, and a variety of insects. Then for breeding, the act of mating is usually done within the water. Watching two salamanders go through the courtship phase is quite intriguing, with males putting on quite a display. For this, the males have a sperm packet whereas the females use a cloaca to pick it up. She will then store this packet so it can fertilize. For protection when the eggs are buried in brooks or ponds, they have a thick gel-like barrier. Once hatched, aquatic larvae are produced, which go through different maturity stages until becoming an aquatic salamander.
Interestingly, when larvae for an aquatic salamander are hatched, they depend on water to live but once an adult they need air. Adults usually have lungs for breathing although some species of the salamander uses the throat’s lining and skin. While all reptiles are intriguing creatures, one of the favorites is the aquatic salamander.