Amphibian Friend at Lake Salamander
We are so happy to meet our first friend of the summer! Camp E&E sits next to one beautiful lake- Lake Salamander. This special spot was named because of the special amphibians who live here! We are always so thrilled to find a few chilling in the woods.
Today we are meeting the Southern Zigzag salamander. Woohoo!
Southern Zigzag Salamander Fun Facts:
- These adorable amphibians are carnivores. They eat mostly insects.
- They only grow to about 3 1/2 inches long! Not a big animal for sure.
- They call the forest floor their home, so watch where you are stepping while on hikes campers.
- They have a zigzag stripe down their back. It can vary in color from red to yellow.
- Females lay eggs in burrows. They guard their eggs until they hatch. Unlike a lot of salamanders, they do not go through an aquatic larva phase. When they are born, they look like miniature adults!
- They are listed by the IUCN as Least Concern.
Can you imagine how cute teeny tiny zigzag salamanders are? We would hardly be able to stand it! We hear that Crafty Crab is coming up with a cute salamander craft later in the week! YAY!