Fire Salamander – Facts and Information
The Fire Salamander is Europes most well known species. They have black bodies with bright yellow markings. They are active during the evening and night in search for small insects.
What Does a Fire Salamander look like?
The Fire Salamander has a black body with striking bright yellow variable patterning. The colours of the salamander are to warn off any potential predators that they secret a toxin when bitten or aggravated. They are rubbery to the touch and not slimy like most people would think. Some species of Fire Salamanders can grow as large as 30cm (12”) from head to tip of tail.
Where is a Fire Salamander from?
Fire salamanders are found in most of southern and central Europe. They are most commonly found at altitudes between 250 metres (820 ft) and 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), only rarely below (in Northern Germany sporadically down to 25 metres (82 ft)). However, in the Balkans or Spain they are commonly found in higher altitudes as well.
Habitat
Fire salamanders live in the forests of central Europe and are more common in hilly areas. They prefer deciduous forests since they like to hide in fallen leaves and around mossy tree trunks. They need small brooks or ponds with clean water in their habitat for the development of the larvae. Whether on land or in water, fire salamanders are inconspicuous. They spend much of their time hidden under wood or other objects. They are active in the evening and the night, but on rainy days they are active in the daytime as well.
Venom
The fire salamander’s primary alkaloid toxin, samandarin, causes strong muscle convulsions and hypertension combined with hyperventilation in all vertebrates. The poison glands of the fire salamander are concentrated in certain areas of the body, especially around the head and the dorsal skin surface. The coloured portions of the animal’s skin usually coincide with these glands. Compounds in the skin secretions may be effective against bacterial and fungal infections of the epidermis; some are potentially dangerous to human life.
Diet
The fire salamander’s diet is carnivorous. It preys upon insects, spiders, earthworms, slugs, newts, and young frogs. In captivity, its diet consists of crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and silkworm larvae. When catching prey, it uses its teeth or tongue to grab them.
Predators and threats
These animals has few natural predators, due to the toxins in its skin, which can sicken or kill predators, as well as the liquid spray it produces when threatened. Toxin glands are concentrated around its head, dorsal skin surface, and tail. Its primary alkaloid toxin, samandrin, causes strong muscle convulsions, hypertension, and hyperventilation in all vertebrates. Grass snakes have been known to eat adult fire salamanders, while other predators prefer to catch the young. Larger reptiles, hawks, and eagles may occasionally prey upon the fire salamander if are immune or develop an immunity to its toxins.
Reproduction
These animals have two different forms of reproduction in their subspecies. Two subspecies (fastuosa and bernadezi) are viviparous, meaning the young develop inside the mother and are born live. All of the other subspecies are ovoviviparous, meaning the young develop in eggs inside the mother until they’re ready to hatch. Unlike other species of salamanders, they give birth to live young but still live near small brooks, ponds, or streams in order to soak themselves.
