Salamanders are timid, harmless animals that look like lizards but are related to frogs and toads. It is a type of amphibian. Salamanders live on all the continents except Antarctica and Australia. They are most comman in Asia, Europe, and North America.

        There are about 360 species of salamanders, making up nine families. They include hellbenders; mudpuppies; nets; and marbled, red-backed, spotted, and tiger salamanders. Most salamanders are only a few inches or centimeters long, but the giant salamander of China and Japan can grow as long as 5 feet. The hellbender of the United States can grow 3 feet long.

        Salamanders tend to dwell in rotten logs, under rocks, in caves, and in other cool, dark, moist places. However, mudpuppies and some other species spend their entire lives in water.

        Most salamanders have moist, dark, skin and are difficult to see in their natural environment. A number of species are brightly colored. Some of these species secrete a milky fluid through the skin when handled roughly or when in danger.It can be poisonous to some animals.

        Salamanders have a long tail that is used for swimming. Most species have four legs, but the ones that live in water have no back legs. Salamanders have a strong sence of smell, and most have a long tougue for catching food. They eat mainly worms and insects.

        Like all amphibians salamanders are cold blooded, so their body temperature remains close to that of their environment. During cold periods, they burrow into the soil or lay on pond bottoms, where they are generally inactive.Species that live in mountains streams and springs may remain active through out the year.

        Female Salamanders lay many eggs at a time, either in water or in moist ground.Eggs in the water usually hatch in a few weeks but, those laid on land may take several months to complete their development. The newly hatched salamanders are called larvae. That look like frog tadpoles but have feathery gills on the sides of their heads.