salamandre

Salamander is a common name for a diverse group of amphibians in the order Caudata (also called Urodela). They are characterized by elongated bodies, tails, and moist, glandular skin. Most species have four limbs of roughly equal size, though some lineages have reduced limbs or are limbless. Salamanders range in size from a few centimeters to about 1.5 meters in the case of the Chinese giant salamander.

Classification and diversity: There are roughly 700 described species across several families, including Salamandridae (true salamanders and newts), Ambystomatidae, Plethodontidae (lungless salamanders), Cryptobranchidae (giant salamanders), Proteidae (olms), Amphiumidae, and Sirenidae. They occupy a wide range of ecological niches.

Habitat and distribution: Salamanders are native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with greatest diversity in North America and Eurasia; tropical species occur in Central America and parts of Asia. They inhabit forests, streams, ponds, leaf litter, and underground burrows, often requiring moist microhabitats to prevent desiccation.

Life history and reproduction: Most species lay eggs in water, which hatch into aquatic larvae with gills and tails; many species undergo metamorphosis, while others exhibit direct development or give birth to live young. Reproductive behavior often involves courtship displays and pheromonal signaling; males may deposit spermatophores that females pick up.

Diet and ecology: Salamanders are carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates, small crustaceans, and occasionally small fish or tadpoles. Some species have toxic skin secretions as a chemical defense.

Conservation: Salamander populations are highly sensitive to habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease. Chytrid fungi (Bd and Bsal) threaten many populations, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia. IUCN assessments list many species as threatened or endangered; protection and habitat management are central to conservation efforts. In French, salamander is salamandre.