salamandra

Salamandra is a genus of salamanders in the family Salamandridae, native to Europe and parts of northern Africa. The best known member is the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), but the genus includes several related species such as Salamandra algira in North Africa. Members of this genus are typically medium-sized, with smooth skin and a long, muscular tail. Coloration varies by species and population, often with dark backgrounds and bright yellow or orange markings that serve as a warning to predators.

Distribution and habitat

Salamandra species occupy a range across Europe from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans, with some forms extending into North Africa. They favor moist, shaded habitats such as deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, and damp leaf litter. Adults are largely terrestrial, while reproduction requires access to aquatic or very damp environments for the development of the offspring.

Biology and life cycle

Adult salamanders of this genus hunt small invertebrates, including insects, slugs, and worms. Reproduction typically involves courtship in the spring, with males presenting a spermatophore that the female picks up. Eggs are laid in moist locations near water, often in vegetation or damp crevices, and hatch into aquatic larvae with gills. The larvae later undergo metamorphosis to become terrestrial juveniles or, in some cases, direct development may occur in moist environments. Skin contains glands that secrete toxins as a defensive measure against predators.

Conservation

Habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and introduced species threaten many Salamandra populations. Disease, including chytrid infections, also poses a risk in some regions. Conservation status varies by species, with several listed as near threatened or endangered in different national and international assessments.

See also

Fire salamander, List of salamander species.