- Common name
- Spotted salamander
- Scientific name
- Salamandra salamandra
- Type
- Amphibious
Description
La Peaked Salamander is easily recognized by its black coloration with distinctive yellow or orange spots. It can reach a total length of 15-20 cm, including the tail, with females tending to be longer and more robust than males. The body of the salamander is covered with smooth, shiny skin dotted with small glands that secrete mucus. This mucus has several vital functions: it protects the skin from bacterial infection, prevents dehydration, and has an unpleasant taste that deters predators.
The salamander's bright coloration is an example of warning coloration (aposematic function), which signals predators that the animal is inedible or potentially dangerous, due to the toxicity of its mucus. These characteristics make the spotted salamander a well-protected and recognizable animal in its habitat.
Scientific Classification
- Domain
- Eukaryota
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Amphibia
- Order
- Urodela
- Family
- Salamadridae
- Genus
- Salamandra
- Species
- salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Subspecies
- salamandra (specie nominale)
- Scientific name
- Salamandra salamandra
Preserved specimen
Freeze-dried specimens without stand; good state of preservation. They are displayed in the museum's middle valley diorama.
Cataloging
- SIRBeC
- 7s060-00146
