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| (Photo: Zoological Society of London) |
SalamandersChinese Giant Salamander is the largest in the world, sometimes growing to 5 foot 9 inches long!
I guess when most of us think about Salamanders we think of the cute little orange ones we see in our yards from time to time. These little guys grow to about 3 inches or so and many people keep them as pets.
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| Red-spotted Newt (Photo by Bruce Lucas) |
They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. Salamanders have never more than four toes on their front legs and five on their rear legs, but some species have fewer. Their moist skin usually makes them reliant on habitats in or near water. Unique among vertebrates, they are capable of regenerating lost limbs, as well as other body parts. Most species of salamander have small teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.
Salamanders have thin skins, soft bodies and move rather slowly and at first sight might appear to be vulnerable to opportunistic predators. However, they have several effective lines of defense. Mucus coating the damp skin makes them difficult to grasp and may have an offensive taste or be toxic.
Salamanders have a poisonous skin secretion that is harmless to humans, just make sure to wash your hands after handling. Some Salamanders do bite, so be careful.
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