24 Questions
What type of glands do members of the Salamandridae family have in their skin?
Poisonous glands
How do aquatic salamanders that lack hind limbs swim?
By undulating their bodies in a wavelike manner
What is a behavioral adaptation of salamanders to survive the winter months?
Hibernation
Why do land-dwelling salamanders require a damp habitat?
To keep their skin moist for oxygen absorption
How do some aquatic salamanders breathe?
Through their skin and mouth lining
When are salamanders typically active?
In the evening
What is a characteristic feature of salamanders' skin?
Moist and smooth
What is the primary function of the bright colors exhibited by some salamander species?
Warning potential predators
What is the range of lengths for average salamanders?
4 to 6 inches
What is unique about the breathing habits of some salamanders?
They can breathe through their skin, lungs, or gills
What is the typical habitat requirement for salamanders?
Habitats in or near water or cool, damp places
What is the name of the family of salamanders that includes newts?
Salamandridae
What is the primary function of salamanders' poisonous skin glands?
To defend against predators
Which of the following is an example of a salamander's defensive posture?
Exposing its boldly colored underside
What is the purpose of tail lashing in some salamanders?
To defend against predators
How do aquatic salamanders capture their prey?
By using a suction method
What is a unique feature of some salamanders' tongues?
It can stretch up to 40 to 80 percent of their body length
What can salamanders regenerate?
Lost body parts, including tails and digits
What is the process by which salamanders capture their prey?
They suck in prey and water, and then strain out the water.
Where do salamanders typically lay their eggs?
Underwater in chambers or on vegetation.
How many eggs can salamanders lay at one time?
Between 20 to 500 eggs.
What is unique about the larval stage of salamanders?
They have external gills, teeth in both jaws, and no eyelids.
How do some species of salamanders undergo fertilization?
Externally, with the male spreading semen over the eggs.
What is the main difference between the life cycles of salamanders and newts?
Salamanders are completely aquatic, while newts are amphibious.
Study Notes
Salamanders' General Features
- Salamanders are a group of amphibians characterized by their lizard-like appearance, long and slender bodies, moist and smooth skin, and long tails.
- They are very diverse, with some having four legs, some having two, and some having lungs, gills, or neither (breathing through their skin).
- Salamanders' permeable skin makes them reliant on habitats in or near water or other cool, damp places.
Size and Coloration
- Average salamanders are between 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length, but can vary greatly depending on species.
- The pygmy salamander (Desmognathus wrighti) is one of the smallest, measuring 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 centimeters) in length.
- The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the largest, growing up to 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) in length.
- Some species exhibit bold colors and patterns, serving as a warning to potential predators.
Reproduction
- Salamanders reproduce by laying round eggs coated with a protective, jelly-like material, with 20 to 500 eggs laid in one cluster.
- Eggs are laid underwater in chambers, upon vegetation, on the roof of the female's shelter, or under stones.
- Fertilization can be external or internal, depending on the species.
Life Cycle
- After birth, almost all salamanders go through a larval stage of development before reaching adulthood.
- The metamorphosis period, similar to a frog's development as a tadpole, can last from a few days to many years.
- Typical larval features include external gills, teeth in both jaws, and no eyelids.
Locomotion and Behavior
- Land-dwelling salamanders walk on all four legs with a side-to-side motion, moving diagonally opposite feet in the same direction.
- Aquatic salamanders swim by undulating their bodies in a wavelike manner, or use webbed hind feet and a specially adapted tail.
- Salamanders are normally active in the evening (nocturnal) and hibernate during the winter months in regions where the temperature falls below freezing.
Defensive Behavior
- Salamanders have poisonous skin glands that secrete potent toxins, which serve as a deterrent to predators.
- They can defend themselves by striking out at predators with their tails, which are concentrated with toxins.
- Salamanders can also regenerate lost body parts, such as tails and digits.
Feeding
- Salamanders feed on insects, worms, small fish, snails, and crustaceans.
- Some species are cannibalistic and eat members of their own kind.
- Land-dwelling salamanders capture prey by flicking out their tongues, while aquatic salamanders use a suction method.
Learn about salamanders, a group of amphibians characterized by their lizardlike appearance, with diverse features such as number of legs and breathing systems. This quiz covers their general characteristics and habitats.
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