Date Found: April 6, 2011
Common Name: Black Salamander
Scientific Name: Aneides flavipunctatus
Found: Under a piece of wood that was lying on the ground on top of wet leaves and mud.
FUN FACTS:
This salamander has no lungs. It breathes through its skin, and the tissues lining their mouths. They must keep these surfaces moist in order to respire, and so have to live in damp environments, such as beneath logs, in caves or in wet rock crevices, and only venture out in humid weather.
The Black Salamander lays its eggs on land. The babies are hatched full grown. They eat earthworms, slugs, snails, spiders and a variety of insects. They are nocturnal and hunt at night. In captivity, they can be fed crickets, earthworms and mealworms. They have 3 toes on the front feet and 4 toes on the back feet.
Be careful to wash hands before and after handling amphibians as they sometimes secrete poisons through their skin. It isn't poisonous to touch.
Way cool, Stephen. You'll be a scientist yet! The best part of all is that you are gentle and respectful of the creatures you find.
ReplyDeleteThe above comment to Stephen is from me, Mimi. Don't want anyone to think Stephen is writing to himself.....it wouldn't let me enter under my name at first.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Stephen. Am looking forward to all your new finds.
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