Salamander Facts
A salamander is an amphibian with a lizard-like shape, a slender body, a blunt snout, short legs and a tail, and many can regrow lost body parts.
- Class
- Amphibian
About the salamander
Ten living families make up the order Urodela, a name built from Greek words meaning conspicuous tail. Eastern North America has the most species, especially in the Appalachian Mountains. Front feet never have more than four toes and back feet never more than five, though some species have fewer, and some lack hind legs altogether. Their skin lets water pass through, so most stay in or near water or in cool, damp spots.
Some species live in water their whole lives, some visit it now and then, and some become fully land-based as adults. Their healing power stands out among vertebrates. Salamanders can regrow limbs, parts of the heart, the jaw and sections of the spinal cord, all without scarring.
Did you know?
- Scientists study salamander regrowth hoping to help treat human brain and spinal cord injuries.
- Caudata, an older name for the salamander group, is Latin for tailed ones.
- Most salamander species live in the Holarctic, with some found in the Neotropics.
Questions about the salamander
Where do salamanders live?
Most live in the Northern Hemisphere, with the greatest variety in eastern North America and the Appalachian Mountains.
Can salamanders regrow limbs?
Yes. They can regenerate limbs and even parts of vital organs like the heart, without scarring.
Sources
- Wikidata Q53663, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Salamander, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.