ExploreAmphibians

Northwestern Salamander

Ambystoma gracile

The Northwestern Salamander is a cool little creature that loves to live in damp places. With its smooth skin and long body, it can be found hiding under rocks and logs in the forest.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Northwestern Salamander has a stout body and a broad head, typically dark brown, black, or gray, sometimes with small yellow or tan flecks. Its skin is smooth and moist, and it features prominent parotoid glands behind its eyes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyAmbystomatidaeGenusAmbystoma
Northwestern Salamander
solitary trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgedecomposer trait badgeforest trait badge
Northwestern Salamander

Category

Amphibians

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby salamanders hatch with external gills, looking like tiny aquatic dragons!

Some can stay forever young, living their whole life with feathery gills!

Their eggs are laid in huge, jelly-like masses, sometimes as big as your hand!

They embark on long, mass migrations to specific ponds for breeding.

Special abilities

Ability

Poisonous Defense

Northwestern Salamander has special glands behind its head that release a milky, toxic substance, helping deter predators.

Ability

Super Healer

Northwestern Salamander can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their brain or eyes, helping them recover from injury.

Ability

Water Breather

Northwestern Salamander can absorb oxygen directly through its moist skin because of tiny blood vessels, helping them breathe underwater.

Measurements & details

Length
7.5-18 cm
Weight
0.01-0.03 kg
Lifespan
6-15 years
Top Speed
0.5 km/h
Clutch Size
80-270
Metamorphosis
90-400 days

Diet & Feeding

These tiny hunters eat many small creatures, using their sticky tongue to catch prey.

Age differences: Larvae eat aquatic invertebrates; adults eat terrestrial invertebrates.

Primary Foods

  • insects
  • earthworms
  • slugs
  • spiders
  • small crustaceans

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a salamander, look but don't touch! They need to stay safe in their homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Northwestern Salamander?

7.5-18 cm

How much does Northwestern Salamander weigh?

0.01-0.03 kg

How long does Northwestern Salamander live?

6-15 years

How fast can Northwestern Salamander move?

0.5 km/h

What does Northwestern Salamander eat?

These tiny hunters eat many small creatures, using their sticky tongue to catch prey.

Where is Northwestern Salamander usually found?

Forests

How does Northwestern Salamander hunt?

Ambush

How many eggs does Northwestern Salamander lay?

80-270

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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