Fire Salamander
The Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra L.) is probably the most well-known salamander species in Europe. It is black with yellow spots or stripes to a varying degree - some specimen can be nearly completely black while on others the yellow is dominant. In some case the spots are more orange or red than yellow.
Habitat
Fire Salamanders live in forests in the hilly parts of southern and central Europe. They prefer deciduous forests, as they like to hide in the fallen leaves, but also at mossy tree trunks. They need clean small brooks in their habitat for the developement of the larvae.
The Fire Salamander are active in the evening and the night, but on rainy days they are active in daytime as well. Their diet consists of various insects, spiders, earthworms and slugs.
Distribution
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Fire Salamanders are found in most of southern and central Europe. They are most commonly found at altitudes between 400 and 1000 m, only rarely below. However on the Balcan or in Spain they are commonly found in higher altitudes as well.
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Subspecies
Several subspecies of the Fire Salamander are recognized. Most notable is the subspecies fastuosa and bernadezi, which are the only viviparous subspecies - the others are ovoviviparous.
- S. s. almanzoris - Spotted Fire Salamander
- S. s. bejarae (or hispanica)
- S. s. bernardezi (extinct?)
- S. s. beschkovi
- S. s. crespoi
- S. s. fastuosa (or bonalli) - Yellow Striped Fire Salamander
- S. s. gallaica - Portuguese Fire Salamander
- S. s. gigliolii
- S. s. infraimmaculata
- S. s. longirostris - Los Barrios Fire Salamander
- S. s. morenica
- S. s. salamandra (or werneri)
- S. s. semenovi
- S. s. terrestris - Barred Fire Salamander
External links
Referenced By
Salamandridae | True Salamander
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