# Speckled Black Salamander (*Aneides flavipunctatus*) The Speckled Black Salamander is a small, shiny creature with beautiful yellow spots. It loves to hide under rocks and logs in the forest, where it stays cool and moist. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Speckled Black Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aneides_flavipunctatus_with_young_%28Marshal_Hedin%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Marshal Hedin, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aneides_flavipunctatus_with_young_%28Marshal_Hedin%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Speckled Black Salamander has a slender, dark black body covered in tiny, bright yellow or white speckles, giving it a starry appearance. It features a distinctive flattened head and long limbs, making it look different from many smoother-skinned salamanders. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Aneides ## Interesting facts - Females guard their clutch of eggs, sometimes for several months, until they hatch! - If scared, it can drop its tail to distract a predator and regrow it later! - They hatch directly into tiny salamanders, completely skipping a tadpole stage! - This salamander has no lungs, relying only on its skin for breathing! ## Special abilities - **Amazing Climber:** Speckled Black Salamander can climb vertical surfaces using its specialized toe pads and prehensile tail, which helps them find food and escape predators. - **Skin Breather:** Speckled Black Salamander can breathe directly through its moist skin, absorbing oxygen from the air or water, because it lacks lungs. - **Night Vision Hunter:** Speckled Black Salamander can hunt effectively in the dark with its sharp eyesight, which helps them find tiny insects and worms at night. - **Sticky Snatcher:** Speckled Black Salamander can catch small prey with its lightning-fast, sticky tongue that launches out, helping them grab quick-moving insects. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-13 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.006 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-25 ## Diet & Feeding This salamander enjoys a feast of tiny invertebrates found on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** mites, springtails, ants, small beetles, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — An important food source on the forest floor. - **Eaten by:** [Western Terrestrial Garter Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-terrestrial-garter-snake) (*Thamnophis elegans*) — A common predator in its native habitat. - **Hunts:** Common Springtail (*Collembola vulgaris*) — These tiny creatures are a staple food for young salamanders. - **Eaten by:** Spotted Owl (*Strix occidentalis*) — Owls may snatch them from tree bark at night. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [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. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching any wild animals, including salamanders. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Speckled Black 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 Speckled Black Salamander? 7-13 cm ### How much does Speckled Black Salamander weigh? 0.002-0.006 kg ### How long does Speckled Black Salamander live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Speckled Black Salamander move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Speckled Black Salamander eat? This salamander enjoys a feast of tiny invertebrates found on the forest floor. ### Where is Speckled Black Salamander usually found? Forests ### How does Speckled Black Salamander hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Robert Louis Stevenson State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/robert-louis-stevenson-state-park) — California, US · State Park ## 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: [Speckled Black Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/speckled-black-salamander)