# Arboreal Salamander (*Aneides lugubris*) The Arboreal Salamander is a colorful amphibian that loves to climb trees! It has a dark body with bright yellow spots, making it look like a tiny treasure in the forest. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Arboreal Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aneides_lugubris.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aneides_lugubris.jpg) ## Appearance The Arboreal Salamander is a robust, dark brown to black salamander often speckled with yellow or cream. It has a broad head, powerful jaws, and a long, prehensile tail, making it distinct from many slender ground-dwelling salamanders. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Aneides ## Interesting facts - A female Arboreal Salamander guards her eggs for months until they hatch! - These salamanders can live longer than many pets, reaching over 20 years old! - They use their tail like a fifth limb to grab branches while climbing high in trees! - Unlike many amphibians, they hatch as tiny salamanders, skipping the tadpole stage! ## Special abilities - **Grip Master:** Arboreal Salamander has special toe pads and a prehensile tail that helps them climb trees and cling to branches securely. - **Mighty Jaws:** Arboreal Salamander can deliver a strong bite because of its powerful jaw muscles, helping them defend against predators and capture prey. - **Tail Drop Defense:** Arboreal Salamander can drop its tail if caught, which wiggles to distract a predator and gives the salamander a chance to escape. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-25 years - **Speed:** 0.3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 7-24 ## Diet & Feeding These salamanders are active hunters, feasting on a variety of small insects and other invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** crickets, beetles, spiders, woodlice, snails, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Cellar Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cellar-spider) (*Pholcus phalangioides*) — A common spider found in similar habitats. - **Eats:** Rough Woodlouse (*Porcellio scaber*) — Often found under logs and rocks where salamanders hunt. - **Eaten by:** Santa Cruz Garter Snake (*Thamnophis atratus*) — Snakes are common predators in its Californian range. - **Eaten by:** [California Scrub-Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-scrub-jay) (*Aphelocoma californica*) — These birds forage on the ground and in trees. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step in the forest, and be gentle with all animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Arboreal Salamander? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Arboreal Salamander? 7-20 cm ### How much does Arboreal Salamander weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Arboreal Salamander live? 10-25 years ### How fast can Arboreal Salamander move? 0.3 km/h ### What does Arboreal Salamander eat? These salamanders are active hunters, feasting on a variety of small insects and other invertebrates. ### Where is Arboreal Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Arboreal Salamander hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Ruth Bancroft Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ruth-bancroft-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Ohlone Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ohlone-park) — California, US · Park - [Lands End](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lands-end) — California, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Arboreal Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/arboreal-salamander) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Arboreal Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arboreal-salamander)