# Oklahoma Salamander (*Eurycea tynerensis*) The Oklahoma Salamander is a small, colorful creature that loves to live in cool, wet places. It has a soft body and can be found hiding under rocks and leaves in its forest home. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Oklahoma Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eurycea_tynerensis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stanley Trauth, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurycea_tynerensis.jpg) ## Appearance The Oklahoma Salamander is a slender amphibian, typically reddish-brown to yellowish with distinct dark spots often forming two faint stripes along its back. Its small, dark eyes provide a contrasting feature on its smooth skin. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Eurycea ## Interesting facts - Instead of loud croaks, salamanders communicate with body language and subtle chemical signals! - Some can live over 10 years, tucked away in dark, cool spots deep underwater! - Their tiny, tooth-like structures help them grip wiggly insects and keep them from escaping! - This salamander is a natural water quality tester, thriving only in very clean streams! ## Special abilities - **Silent Sentinel:** The Oklahoma Salamander has delicate skin that helps it breathe underwater and on land, absorbing oxygen directly from its surroundings. - **Regrowth Power:** Oklahoma Salamander can regrow lost tails or limbs because of special cells that help them repair injuries and escape predators. - **Chemical Radar:** Oklahoma Salamander has a keen sense of smell and chemical detection that helps them find tiny prey and avoid danger underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-11 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.008 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 20-60 - **Metamorphosis:** 100-300 days ## Diet & Feeding Oklahoma Salamanders are hunters that eat tiny insects and other small invertebrates they find in water. - **Primary Foods:** Springtails, Amphipods, Copepods, Insect larvae, Isopods - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes sometimes find them hiding under rocks near streams. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Larger fish may prey on them in shared aquatic habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Spring Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spring-salamander) (*Gyrinophilus porphyriticus*) — Larger salamanders can sometimes prey on smaller ones. - **Eats:** Light Cahill Mayfly (*Stenacron interpunctatum*) — Adults and larvae consume their aquatic larval stages. - **Eats:** Freshwater Scuds (*Gammarus pseudolimnaeus*) — These tiny crustaceans are a common food source. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch salamanders. They need their skin to stay moist! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Salamander? 7-11 cm ### How much does Oklahoma Salamander weigh? 0.003-0.008 kg ### How long does Oklahoma Salamander live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Oklahoma Salamander move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Oklahoma Salamander eat? Oklahoma Salamanders are hunters that eat tiny insects and other small invertebrates they find in water. ### Where is Oklahoma Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Oklahoma Salamander hunt? Ambush ## 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: [Oklahoma Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oklahoma-salamander)