Amphibians

Salamanders

Amphibians (frogs, toads & salamanders) were the first group of vetebrates to colonize dry land. Most species average 2-6 inches with the smallest 1.2 inches long. The largest species is found in Japan and exceeds five feet. The term salamander is derived from the Greek for "fire lizard." Old legends claimed that the salamander was born from fire. Actually, since these animals seek out moist, protected areas, they would seek shelter in logs. When the logs were thrown into a fire, the hidden salamanders would emerge, hence the name. Salamanders may live more than twenty years in captivity. The 358 species are found in temperate and tropical regions of North, Central and South America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia, including Japan and associated islands.

Salamanders are more tolerant of cold than frogs, so are more widely distributed in temperate areas. They live in cool, dark places and are mostly nocturnal. They typically have elongated bodies with four limbs (some species have only two limbs) and long tails which are laterally compressed (adapted for swimming). All have tongues and usually make no noise, but make an occasional "squeak." The moist glandular skin functions as respiratory surfaces. The skin is permeable and can absorb polluted water which can cause death. Many have bright colors to warn of their bad taste from skin secretions. The skin is shed, sometimes whole, and sometimes in pieces which are then eaten. They are strictly carnivorous and feed on small invertebrates, fish and frogs. Salamanders have poor eyesight and rely on smell and touch to locate prey. They live in or near ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers. Some species are wholly terrestrial, some wholly aquatic, and some amphibious.

Many salamanders exhibit complex courtship rituals. They are oviparous (produce eggs that hatch outside the body). After mating, the female may retain sperm for several months before laying eggs. The eggs hatch into carnivorous larvae, which look very much like an adult with gills. They ultimately metamorphose into the adult form (with some exceptions). Larvae resemble tadpoles, except that front limbs form first in salamanders. The opposite is the case for toads and frogs and frog tadpoles are herbivorous.

San Antonio Zoo has eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum), barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium), Rio Grande siren (Siren intermedia texana), Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus), Comal blind salamander (Eurycea tridentifera), Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum), Texas blind salamander (Typhlomolge rathbuni), and European fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra).