The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 700
Salamanders are a diverse group of amphibians that thrive in freshwater environments, ranging from small, slender species hidden in forest streams to the enormous Japanese giant salamander, one of the largest amphibians on Earth. Many salamanders spend most of their lives underwater, relying on a combination of lungs and skin respiration to survive in oxygen-poor habitats.
With elongated bodies and powerful tails, salamanders are well adapted for slow, stealthy movement along riverbeds and pond floors. Species like the Japanese giant salamander inhabit cool, fast-flowing rivers, where they hunt fish, insects, and crustaceans at night. As ancient survivors with a lineage stretching back millions of years, salamanders are vital indicators of clean, healthy freshwater ecosystems.