Are Fire Salamanders Poisonous?

Fire salamander in a puddle

The Fire salamander is the largest, and possibly the best-known salamander species in Europe. These salamanders live throughout Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe with some subspecies being found as far as North Africa. They are characterized by their glossy black body with yellow patches or stripes. Fire salamanders have large parotid glands behind the eyes … Read more

Are Red-Backed Salamanders Poisonous to Humans or Pets?

Red-backed salamander on a yellow leaf

Red-back salamanders (also called redback salamanders) are common across the eastern and central United States. These salamanders are usually found in forest areas but often wander into people’s backyards. You may have seen one of these salamanders and wondered if they are poisonous.  Red-backed salamanders are very mildly poisonous. They have glands that secrete a … Read more

Do Salamanders Have Lungs?

Marbled salamander on a log.

If you ever look at a salamander, you will notice it looks so much different from other animals. But have you ever wondered what it has on the inside? Do salamanders have lungs as most other animals do? There are over 600 salamander species, that are all somewhat different from each other. Some salamanders such … Read more

Do Salamanders Bite?

Small mouth salamander on a hand

Salamanders are intriguing creatures and are relatively easy to care for. This makes them a popular pet among amphibian enthusiasts. Should you ever be worried about being bitten by a salamander? Salamanders are known to bite. However, you shouldn’t be too worried about being bitten by a salamander, because they are very docile creatures that … Read more

Are Salamanders Warm or Cold-Blooded?

Salamander on a green leaf

In the winter, we don’t see many salamanders or other amphibians around. This is because salamanders cannot internally control their body temperature, so it is at the mercy of the temperatures in their environment. Salamanders are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature. Their body temperature changes as the temperature in … Read more

What Do Salamanders Eat? The Ultimate Guide

Eastern red-backed salamander eating a worm

Most salamanders are carnivores, which means they eat only animal protein. Their exact diet will depend on their size, age, their habitat, and the part of the world they live in. Generally, salamanders eat worms, slugs, and a wide variety of insects in the wild. In addition, large salamanders are capable of eating mice, baby … Read more