by Jonah Kim
Did you know that the Shenandoah salamander can breathe through its skin?! The Shenandoah salamander is part of the family Plethodon, which is a group of salamanders (lungless salamanders) that breathe though their skin. However, in order to have successful respiration these salamanders must have moist skin.
Did you know the Shenandoah salamander can eat anything that fits into its mouth? Its diet ranges to miniature ants to humongous earthworms. It also eats common pests, such as malicious mosquitoes, slimy slugs, and grimy grubs. The only thing that limits the Shenandoah salamander's diet is the size of its mouth since the salamander is only 7-10 cm. in length!
The Shenandoah salamander only lives inside Virginia, no where else! The Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah) is an endangered salamander that only lives inside Virginia, Shenandoah Nation Park on three mountaintops. This salamander prefers cool and moist environments high in the mountains.
How long have salamanders been around? Due to extensive research, scientists have found out that salamanders evolved around 200 million years ago!!! Modern day humans have only evolved about 200,000 years ago!
How does the Shenandoah salamander help the environment? This salamander helps the environment by eating pests, soil aeration by burrowing, and helping decompose the forest floor.
Salamander Savers petition, Salamander Savers is trying to nominate the Shenandoah salamander the state amphibian of Virginia. We would appreciate your support for nominating this salamander. Here is a link to our website and petition. Http://savethesalamanders.weebly.com/