Salamander (photo): A miniature dragon with a rich history. Salamander - fire lizard Salamander animal

EOL[ | ]

Spreading

The western border of the range covers the territory of Portugal, eastern and northern Spain, as well as France.

The northern border of the range reaches northern Germany and southern Poland. The eastern border reaches the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians, Romania, Bulgaria and Iran.

There is evidence of a small population in eastern Turkey.

The range also includes the territories of Greece, Hungary, Italy, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro. [ | ]

Description Fire Salamander

, rare orange color

Adult fire salamanders reach 23 cm in length, according to some sources up to 30 cm, the average body length is 16-19 cm, including the tail. The length of the tail is less than half of the total body length. The tail is round in cross section, very mobile (can move the tip). The stocky body is predominantly intensely black with irregularly shaped yellow or orange spots. The shape and location of the spots are varied and variable. Often the spots merge and form stripes. Often the spots on the head and paws are symmetrical, the rest are placed randomly, but evenly across the body. The salamander's bright, contrasting coloring (also called warning coloring) serves to warn enemies that their prey is poisonous. The abdomen is usually black or brown, uniformly colored, with lighter spots possible. The limbs are short and strong, without swimming membranes. There are four toes on the front paws and five on the hind paws.

The salamander's head is massive and round. Large convex eyes are completely black, the eyelids are well developed. You can distinguish a female from a male by its larger body size, shorter limbs and less convex cloaca. Females are wider. The parotid glands are located on the head - having an alveolar structure. The glands produce poison, which in appearance is a viscous milky liquid with a specific odor of almonds or garlic. Its main components are the steroid alkaloids samandarin and others. In total, salamander venom contains 9 alkaloids similar in structure. The poison is toxic for mammals (the average lethal dose is 20-30 mg/kg for mice). The venom acts as a neurotoxin, causing paralysis, arrhythmia and convulsions. It also has antibacterial and antifungal effects. For the salamander, the venom serves as protection against predators and infections. Salamander venom is not dangerous to humans, but contact of the venom on the mucous membranes causes a burning sensation. Under severe stress, the salamander is capable of spraying poison over a short distance.

Life cycle [ | ]

Fire salamander, larval stage

The reproduction process of fire salamanders has not been fully studied. In addition, significant differences are known in the reproductive cycles of salamanders of this species, depending on the habitat and its altitude above sea level.

The breeding season usually begins in early spring. At this time, in the male’s cloaca area, the convex gland that produces the spermatophore becomes more noticeable.

Two subspecies of fire salamanders - S.s. fastuosa And S.s. bernardezi- viviparous animals, the female does not lay eggs, but gives birth to larvae or, sometimes, even individuals that have completely undergone metamorphosis. The remaining subspecies practice ovoviviparity. There are rare cases known (when kept in captivity) when the female laid eggs, but even in such cases the larvae hatch very quickly.

Representatives of the species reach sexual maturity at the age of 3 years. Life expectancy in natural environment up to 14 years, some specimens lived up to 50 years in captivity.

Lifestyle [ | ]

Fire salamander in defensive position

Video - salamander in motion

The fire salamander prefers deciduous or mixed forests, foothills and mountainous areas, and river banks. In mountainous areas it is found at an altitude of up to 2 km above sea level. Fire salamanders have been observed to have a fairly strong attachment to a specific permanent habitat.

The fire salamander is a sedentary animal; it moves slowly on the ground, while its body bends slightly and its tail drags freely. It swims poorly (it can even drown in deep water), so it only approaches water bodies during the breeding season. It feeds on various invertebrates: butterfly caterpillars, dipteran larvae, spiders, slugs, earthworms, and can also eat small newts and young frogs. The salamander catches its prey by abruptly rushing forward with its whole body, and then tries to swallow it whole.

From October-November they usually go to winter until March. They spend the winter hiding under the roots of trees, under a thick layer of fallen leaves, often in large groups from twenty to several hundred copies.

Natural enemies in nature for salamanders are snakes (common and water snakes), predatory fish, birds and wild boars.

Subspecies [ | ]

Subspecies S.s. gallaica

Security [ | ]

The fire salamander is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and classified as Category II (vulnerable species). In Europe, the species is protected by the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Species of Wild Fauna and Their Habitats, concluded in 1979 (listed in Appendix III - “Species of Animals to be Protected”).

Fire salamander in culture[ | ]

The fire salamander has always attracted great attention from humans, largely due to its unusual appearance. There are known myths and legends associated with the fire salamander; its image is used as symbolism. Ancient people were confused by the fact that a salamander “emerged” from a fire, which in reality can be explained simply: if people threw a wet log into a fire with a salamander hidden in it from the sun, the wet wood extinguished the fire, and the salamander itself crawled out.

“Salamander” is the name of the Bonus Track from Helavisa’s album “Luciferase (Deluxe)”, which was released on December 14, 2018.

Notes [ | ]

1. Life of animals. Volume 5. Amphibians. Reptiles / ed.

Classification

View: salamander

Squad: tailed amphibians

Type: chordates

Family: real salamanders

Subfamily: salamanders

Class: amphibians

Dimensions: body length - 15 mm - 170 cm, in most cases - 20 - 25 cm; body weight - from 30 mg to 80 kg

Lifespan: on average 20 - 25 years, but can reach 50 years of age in captivity.

The salamander is a mysterious creature that has been described in many ancient myths and stories. Sometimes she was even called the messenger of hell, which is largely due to the toxicity of the entire species.

And even now, when this amphibian has been fully studied, it still inspires fear in some.

The salamander is a mysterious creature that has been described in many ancient myths and stories. Christians even called her the messenger of hell, which is largely due to the toxicity of the entire species.

And even now, when this amphibian has been fully studied, it still inspires fear in some.

The group of salamanders is the largest among amphibians. Varieties of these amphibians can be found in different parts of the planet, and each individual representative will be somewhat different.

Habitat

If you want to see the maximum variety of salamanders, then you should go to North America– this part of the world is heavily favored by reptiles.

They also live in Asia and Europe, and some individual species are in those places where they are most comfortable, regardless of the presence of family members nearby.

For example, in eastern China you can see the largest existing salamander. The giant reptile reaches 80 kg in weight and 180-190 cm in length (including the tail part of the body).

This species is called Chinese-giant, and despite its external danger, its representatives feed modestly: small fish, amphibians and invertebrates living in the water.

The giant salamander is considered the largest amphibian in the world. this moment, so she stands out not only among her species.

This is what a giant salamander looks like. This reptile prefers to live in forests and hills, but there must be a body of water nearby.

The Chinese-giant variety of these creatures is slowly beginning to die out, which is why the relevant organizations are holding various rallies and putting all their efforts into preserving the species.

So, despite their rather terrifying appearance, reptiles are actively protected.

Interesting!The fire salamander is the most common representative of this family; it lives throughout Europe, but it can also be found in Germany, Poland and Portugal. Individual populations can be found even in Turkey.

Characteristic

There are salamanders different types and sizes, but they all equally pose a threat to other creatures. The fire salamander, just like all other species, is a poisonous amphibian.

It is important to consider that members of the family are divided into two types:

• real;
• lungless.

The latter are distinguished by the absence of lungs and can breathe exclusively through the skin.

This family currently numbers about 400 species, and this figure for tailed amphibians is simply huge.

But the number of real salamanders is even greater, and it is constantly increasing: scientists are still discovering new populations around the world.

By the way, it is the lungless type of these amphibians that can be seen much more often in the water.

Tailed amphibians, which have a full set of necessary organs, often go ashore and calmly walk along it.

Salamanders, which belong to the lungless type, differ in appearance from their counterparts. Their body is highly elongated, which is why such reptiles most closely resemble snakes. In the photo you can see what a salamander looks like without lungs.

Interesting!A giant salamander, if positioned vertically, would be taller than the average man. This animal reaches 1.7 meters in length, thanks to which it holds the title of “the largest tailed amphibian.” Well, the smallest representative of the family does not exceed the size of a 5-kopeck coin.

Appearance

All salamanders are similar in structure: they have an elongated body, a long tail, underdeveloped limbs and a small head.

These animals move much better in water (as already mentioned, this mainly refers to the lungless type), precisely because of their short and undeveloped legs.

Such tailed amphibians are very interesting due to their variety of colors and sizes: in nature you can find amazing representatives some species that actually look like miniature dragons.

An animal belonging to any type of salamander has movable eyelids, thanks to which it can examine the situation around it.

In addition, such tailed amphibians have very poorly developed jaws, and in general the oral region is not conducive to eating solid food.

The fire salamander has a rather unusual coloring that will definitely attract the attention of any unlucky tourist. But behind the bright appearance lies a toxic poison that can kill several living creatures at once.

Most of all, this dangerous animal resembles a familiar lizard, for example, but the differences between them are easily noticeable upon closer examination.

It’s not just about the colors, which are more prominent in salamanders, but also about other factors. Poisonous amphibians have a slimy, long body and bright eyes.

Interesting!In many myths, the salamander is designated as a servant of dark forces. Partly because of its danger to surrounding creatures, but also because of its unusual appearance, any representative of the family in the past was considered a serious threat to people. At the same time, the poison of this amphibian cannot kill a person; the maximum effect after it is a burn.

Key Features

Quite a lot has already been written about what a salamander looks like, but there is one more thing in its appearance. interesting feature, which distinguishes it from many amphibians: the absence of membranes between the fingers.

This factor may seem insignificant, but even it casts doubt on whether this creature belongs to this particular type of animal.

The photo shows an alpine black newt, one of the most poisonous representatives of the salamander class. At the same time, its length rarely exceeds 12 cm, and this animal prefers to live in gorges and dense forests.

On this Interesting Facts doesn't end there, here are a few more of them:

1. The fire salamander, like all species from this family, has a toxic venom that is found on the surface of its skin. It is secreted by the parotid glands, and this process occurs constantly. The peculiarity is that if, for example, a dog eats a salamander, it will soon die.
2. The poison of these animals is called salamandrin in chemistry. It is really dangerous for humans only when consumed internally, which is why the use of these amphibians as food is prohibited. It is also noteworthy that they use their poison exclusively for the purpose of self-defense, and not for hunting.
3. The giant salamander prefers to be in water, or to be more precise: in cold and fast-flowing mountain streams. And despite its large size, this animal does not disdain to feed on insects and crustaceans, alternating them with fish. The activity period of this species is at night.
4. All salamanders have the ability to regenerate not only the tail, but also the rest of the limbs. In this feature they resemble lizards, but in this factor they are also ahead of them in development.
5. According to German mythology, this family of amphibians personifies the spirit of fire. Moreover, the Germans in their stories attribute to salamanders the ability to tolerate combustion temperatures without any damage. From the point of view of the Christian faith, these creatures are messengers of the devil. And indeed, judging by the way the salamander looks, one might get such an impression.

Not all species of these amphibians have a frightening appearance, as many have a neutral coloration. But the fire salamander easily inspires fear with its color alone: ​​bright yellow or orange spots on a black, sometimes brown body.

Interesting!This animal hibernates in winter, like many others. Around October, the poisonous amphibian takes refuge in a pile of fallen leaves, and sometimes even huddles together with its fellows.

Nutrition

The diet of such a tailed amphibian as the salamander depends to a small extent on its species.

Predators among these animals can be counted on the fingers of one hand, while populations of the family are found in all corners of the world.

This is largely due to the underdeveloped jaw and innate laziness of this group. In general, the daily menu of each of its representatives most often includes:

• caterpillars;
• spiders and butterflies;
• slugs and earthworms;
• small newts and frogs (the fire salamander especially loves them).

If we talk about more large individuals these amphibians, then they prefer to consume;

• small amphibians;
• crustaceans.

This diet is preferred by the giant salamander and some other individuals of this family that live in water bodies. These creatures go hunting at night; during the day their activity is extremely low.

In addition, they prefer not to attack predators, and reduce the likelihood of collisions with potential enemies to a minimum.

In the photo you can see how the giant salamander rested in the man’s arms. This once again challenges the idea that these creatures are capable of eating people.

Interesting!By the way, there is also a myth about the immortality of the salamander. At one time, people were so afraid of these animals that they attributed fantastic abilities to them, so some facts of the past regarding this family are greatly distorted.

Reproduction

The fire salamander prefers to reproduce immediately after hibernation. During this period, she shows maximum activity and is completely ready for fertilization.

This process, as well as mating games, these ambitions take place on land.

In males, a special sac is formed in which the germ cells (spermatophore) are located.

Once it is fully formed, the male lays it on the ground. After this, the female presses against the spermatophore, resulting in fertilization.

In the end, the female can deposit the “ready” cells into the water, or continue to carry them inside herself. Small larvae can also be born in two ways:

• hatching from eggs directly into water;
• after the process of viviparity.

It all depends on the mother of the offspring and her choice. By the way, scientists have not established exactly how the salamanders perform it.

Apparently, maternal instinct is responsible for these actions, but this theory is not one hundred percent proven.

The cub turns into an adult upon reaching 3 years of age. After this, it can live another 12-15 years and reproduce regularly.

Interesting!Individuals aged 50 years or more are seen very rarely. As a rule, such salamanders grow in their natural environment and, until the last moment, are able to provide themselves with waste products.

At one time there was a rumor circulating online that a 200-year-old giant salamander had been found in China. This information was disseminated not only by entertainment portals, but also by serious publications. The photo shows exactly the same specimen caught by an ordinary fisherman.

Interesting!China is one of the few countries in the world where salamanders are still eaten. It's about specifically about the largest representatives of the family. Some parts of the body and substances extracted from the body of this amphibian are also used for medical purposes.

Like many other dangerous animals, salamanders can be safely kept in your own apartment, observing necessary measures safety and providing proper care.

For these amphibians, as in keeping , and, it is best to buy a horizontal or cubic terrarium.

To fill it with the right soil, you can use a mixture of moss, bark, peat, soil and charcoal. In this case, the moss will need to be constantly replaced, since it will not be able to grow in the conditions of the terrarium.

Important rules for keeping salamanders:

1. You must not overheat the place where the amphibian is kept, as this will prevent it from breathing comfortably. Low temperatures these animals tolerate it very well.
2. A period of hunger strike is normal for this reptile. She may not feed during the molting period.
3. For lighting, it is better to use lamps that do not affect the temperature, or rather, fluorescent ones. To decorate the terrarium, you can use plants and large stones.
4. We must not forget about the importance of a reservoir in which the water must be replaced regularly.

Fire salamander in a terrarium. This baby is moving actively and clearly feels great.

Salamander: Miniature dragon with rich history

The salamander looks like an ordinary small amphibian with an interesting coloring, but the history of its species is fraught with many mysterious myths and secrets. In addition, this creature can move in water and has the ability to regenerate limbs.

This is one of the most mysterious creatures Ancient world and the Middle Ages. The fire salamander was represented as a small dragon that lives in fire and embodies its spirit. Mentioned in the Natural History of Pliny the Elder, who says that the salamander itself is so cold that it can extinguish any flame as soon as it touches it.

“The most terrible of all animals is the salamander,” writes Pliny. - Others bite, at least, individual people and do not kill many at once, but a salamander can destroy an entire people so that no one will notice where the misfortune came from.

If a salamander climbs a tree, all the fruits on it become poisonous. If she touches the table on which bread is baked, it becomes poisonous... Immersed in the stream, she poisons the water... If she touches any part of the body, even the tip of her finger, then all the hair on her body falls out..."

In alchemy, the salamander is the spirit of the element of fire, just as there are spirits of the other three elements - earth, water and air.

Where did this legend about a fiery creature come from? In the Hebrew legend “The Gates of Heaven” there are these lines: “Out of fire is born an animal called a salamander, which feeds only on fire; and fire is its matter, and it will appear in the blaze of furnaces that burn for seven years.” The image of a spotted lizard, associated with the element of fire, migrated to medieval treatises on symbolism, alchemy and found a connection with religious symbolism.

In the Physiologist, a book written in the 3rd century and which is a collection and original interpretation of pre-Christian works on zoology, the fire salamander corresponds to three righteous people who were not burned in the fiery furnace. Then her image spread across various bestiaries and gained popularity, and the legend took root and became firmly established in many prophecies.

The common fire or spotted salamander is a small amphibian with medium length body 16-20 cm

The fiery image began with the coloring of the animal. Ancient scientists, in particular Pliny the Elder and Albertus Magnus, tried to associate its yellow and orange spots on the skin with the light of distant stars.

It was believed that the fire salamander somehow influenced the appearance of meteors, comets and new stars, and they, accordingly, affected the location of colored spots on its skin. A connection with various fiery phenomena is also mentioned, since scientists associated the same elongated spots with flames.

The salamander has always caused superstitious horror and fear, giving rise to many myths. In some, she is immortal, and her skin can cure all diseases; in others it is little Dragon, from which a fire-breathing monster will grow in a hundred years.

In medieval magic, the salamander is a spirit, the keeper of fire, its personification. In Christianity, she is a messenger of hell, but in the treatises of the 11th century by the Byzantine George of Pisida, she is identified with the biblical symbol of a pious person, “who does not burn in the flames of sin and hell.”

In the Middle Ages, the belief spread in Europe that salamanders live in flames, and therefore in Christianity its image became a symbol of the fact that living body can withstand fire. In addition, the magic lizard personifies the fight against carnal pleasures, chastity and faith. Theologians cited the phoenix bird as evidence of resurrection in the flesh, and the salamander as an example of the fact that living bodies can exist in fire.

In Saint Augustine's City of God there is a chapter entitled "Can Bodies Exist in Fire" and it begins like this:

“Why would I bring evidence here, if not to convince the incredulous that human bodies, endowed with soul and life, not only do not disintegrate and do not decompose after death, but their existence continues among the torments of eternal fire?

Since it is not enough for unbelievers that we attribute this miracle to the omnipotence of the Almighty, they demand that we prove it with some example. And we can answer them that there really are animals, corruptible creatures, for they are mortal, who nevertheless dwell in fire.”

Poets also resorted to the images of the salamander and phoenix, but only as a poetic exaggeration. For example, Que-vedo in the sonnets of the fourth book of “Spanish Parnassus”, where “the exploits of love and beauty are sung”:

I'm like a Phoenix, embraced by fury
By fire and, burning in it, I am reborn,
And I am convinced of his masculine strength,
That he is a father who gave birth to many children.
And the salamanders are notoriously cold
It doesn’t extinguish, I guarantee that on my honor.
The heat of my heart, in which I toil,
She doesn't care, even though he's a living hell to me.

In ancient books, the salamander was often given a magical appearance. She is already unusual, and in ancient descriptions she surpasses even this image. She has the body of a young cat, large membranous wings on her back, like some dragons, the tail of a snake, and only the head of an ordinary lizard.

Its skin is covered with small scales, fibers reminiscent of asbestos (this mineral was often identified with the salamander) - these are hardened particles of ancient flame.

Often a salamander can be found on the slope of a volcano during an eruption. She also appears in the flames of a fire if she so wishes. It is believed that without this amazing creature, the appearance of heat on earth would be impossible, because without his command even the most ordinary match cannot light up.

According to the treatises of Kabbalism, in order to get this strange creature, you should find a transparent glass vessel with a round shape. Focus the sun's rays in the center of the flask using specially placed mirrors. After some time, the salamander's solar substance, its true essence, will appear there, which can then be used in alchemy to obtain the philosopher's stone.

Other sources clarify that the non-burning salamander only ensured that the required temperature was maintained in the crucible where the transformation of lead into gold took place.

The image of the salamander was widely used in symbolism and heraldry. Thus, on the coats of arms, a four-legged lizard surrounded by flames symbolized perseverance and contempt for danger. For example, in British coats of arms it means courage, courage, fortitude, which cannot be damaged by the fire of disasters. It is curious that the first insurance companies chose the salamander as their symbol, which meant safety from fire.

Traveling through the French castles of Chambord, Blois, Azay-le-Rideau, Fontainebleau, you can come across dozens of images of the salamander, since he chose it as his symbol French king Francis I.

Salamander in the emblem of King Francis I, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

A salamander on fire, accompanied by the king's motto “I cherish and banish,” appears on bas-reliefs and decorates walls and furniture. The meaning of this motto was that a wise and just monarch sows goodness and goodness, while at the same time eradicating evil and ignorance.

Fiction and reality are often very closely intertwined, and the salamander is a classic example of this. Now, of course, they are quite well studied, but some superstitious fear still remains. Perhaps also because these creatures are unusually poisonous, and most importantly, they carry a mystical trail that has rarely been awarded to any other type of amphibian.

This is one of the most mysterious creatures of the Ancient World and the Middle Ages. Fire salamander represented in the form of a small dragon living in fire and embodying its spirit. Mentioned in the Natural History of Pliny the Elder, who says that the salamander itself is so cold that it can extinguish any flame as soon as it touches it.

“The most terrible of all animals is the salamander,” writes Pliny. “Others bite at least individual people and do not kill many at once, but a salamander can destroy an entire people without anyone noticing where the misfortune came from.”

If a salamander climbs a tree, all the fruits on it become poisonous. If she touches the table on which bread is baked, it becomes poisonous... Immersed in the stream, she poisons the water... If she touches any part of the body, even the tip of her finger, then all the hair on her body falls out...”

In alchemy, the salamander is the spirit of the element of fire, just as there are spirits of the other three elements - earth, water and air.

Where did this legend about a fiery creature come from? In the Hebrew legend “The Gates of Heaven” there are these lines: “Out of fire is born an animal called a salamander, which feeds only on fire; and fire is its matter, and it will appear in the blaze of furnaces that burn for seven years.” The image of a spotted lizard, associated with the element of fire, migrated to medieval treatises on symbolism, alchemy and found a connection with religious symbolism.

In the Physiologist, a book written in the 3rd century and which is a collection and original interpretation of pre-Christian works on zoology, the fire salamander corresponds to three righteous people who were not burned in the fiery furnace. Then her image spread across various bestiaries and gained popularity, and the legend took root and became firmly established in many prophecies.

The common fire or spotted salamander is a small amphibian with an average body length of 16-20 cm

The fiery image began with the coloring of the animal. Ancient scientists, in particular Pliny the Elder and Albertus Magnus, tried to associate its yellow and orange spots on the skin with the light of distant stars.

It was believed that the fire salamander somehow influenced the appearance of meteors, comets and new stars, and they, accordingly, affected the location of colored spots on its skin. A connection with various fiery phenomena is also mentioned, since scientists associated the same elongated spots with flames.

The salamander has always caused superstitious horror and fear, giving rise to many myths. In some, she is immortal, and her skin can cure all diseases; in others, it is a small dragon, from which in a hundred years a fire-breathing monster will grow.

In medieval magic, the salamander is a spirit, the keeper of fire, its personification. In Christianity, she is a messenger of hell, but in the treatises of the 11th century by the Byzantine George of Pisis, she is identified with the biblical symbol of a pious person, “who does not burn in the flames of sin and hell.”

In the Middle Ages, the belief spread in Europe that salamanders live in flames, and therefore in Christianity her image became a symbol of the fact that a living body can withstand fire. In addition, the magic lizard personifies the fight against carnal pleasures, chastity and faith. Theologians cited the phoenix bird as evidence of resurrection in the flesh, and the salamander as an example of the fact that living bodies can exist in fire.

In Saint Augustine's City of God there is a chapter entitled "Can Bodies Exist in Fire" and it begins like this:

“Why would I bring evidence here, if not to convince the incredulous that human bodies, endowed with soul and life, not only do not disintegrate and do not decompose after death, but their existence continues among the torments of eternal fire?

Since it is not enough for unbelievers that we attribute this miracle to the omnipotence of the Almighty, they demand that we prove it with some example. And we can answer them that there really are animals, corruptible creatures, for they are mortal, who nevertheless dwell in fire.”

Poets also resorted to the images of the salamander and phoenix, but only as a poetic exaggeration. For example, Que-vedo in the sonnets of the fourth book of “Spanish Parnassus”, where “the exploits of love and beauty are sung”:

I'm like a Phoenix, embraced by fury
By fire and, burning in it, I am reborn,
And I am convinced of his masculine strength,
That he is a father who gave birth to many children.
And the salamanders are notoriously cold
It doesn’t extinguish, I guarantee that on my honor.
The heat of my heart, in which I toil,
She doesn't care, even though he's a living hell to me.

In ancient books, the salamander was often given a magical appearance. She is already unusual, and in ancient descriptions she surpasses even this image. She has the body of a young cat, large membranous wings on her back, like some dragons, the tail of a snake, and only the head of an ordinary lizard.

Its skin is covered with small scales, fibers reminiscent of asbestos (this mineral was often identified with the salamander) - these are hardened particles of ancient flame.

Often a salamander can be found on the slope of a volcano during an eruption. She also appears in the flames of a fire if she so wishes. It is believed that without this amazing creature, the appearance of heat on earth would be impossible, because without his command even the most ordinary match cannot light up.

According to the treatises of Kabbalism, in order to get this strange creature, you should find a transparent glass vessel with a round shape. Focus the sun's rays in the center of the flask using specially placed mirrors. After some time, the salamander's solar substance, its true essence, will appear there, which can then be used in alchemy to obtain the philosopher's stone.

Other sources clarify that the non-burning salamander only ensured that the required temperature was maintained in the crucible where the transformation of lead into gold took place.

The image of the salamander was widely used in symbolism and heraldry. Thus, on the coats of arms, a four-legged lizard surrounded by flames symbolized perseverance and contempt for danger. For example, in British coats of arms it means courage, courage, fortitude, which cannot be damaged by the fire of disasters. It is curious that the first insurance companies chose the salamander as their symbol, which meant safety from fire.

Traveling through the French castles of Chambord, Blois, Azay-le-Rideau, Fontainebleau, you can come across dozens of images of the salamander, since it was the salamander that was chosen by the French king Francis I as his symbol.

Salamander in the emblem of King Francis I, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

A salamander on fire, accompanied by the king's motto “I cherish and banish,” appears on bas-reliefs and decorates walls and furniture. The meaning of this motto was that a wise and just monarch sows goodness and goodness, while at the same time eradicating evil and ignorance.

Fiction and reality are often very closely intertwined, and the salamander is a classic example of this. Now, of course, they are quite well studied, but some superstitious fear still remains. Perhaps also because these creatures are unusually poisonous, and most importantly, they carry a mystical trail that has rarely been awarded to any other type of amphibian.

Salamander – This amphibian animal, which people were afraid of even in ancient times. Myths were created about her and mystical abilities were attributed to her. This is mainly due to its toxicity and bizarre coloring. If you translate her name from the Persian language, it means “burning from within.”

Spreading

Lives in Europe from Spain and Portugal in the west to western Russia, Turkey and Israel in the east. Some salamanders live exclusively in water and differ from their relatives by well-formed gills, for example, the Chinese giant salamander is a representative of the family cryptobranchs. Salamanders belonging to the family of cryptobranchs live in the United States of America, China and Japan.

Family lungless salamanders in the process of evolution, it completely lost its lungs, without gaining gills. Therefore, members of the family have to breathe using the skin and mucous membranes oral cavity. These salamanders live in tropical and subtropical forests, in the mountains and lowlands, on plantations and in village gardens. Lungless salamanders are inhabitants of predominantly New World countries: they are distributed in areas covering the mountainous and wooded areas of Canada, including the tropics and subtropics of Bolivia and Brazil. Several species live in European countries, and only one species (lat. Karsenia koreana) can be found in South Korea.

Representatives of the family real salamanders, leading a predominantly terrestrial existence, have respiratory system, presented by the couple perfectly developed lungs. True salamanders are widespread throughout Europe, living in the north-west of the African continent, Asia Minor and China, small species populations are found in Indochina and India, the range also covers areas from southern Canada to the northern regions of Mexico. Only four species of salamanders live in Russia.

Appearance

All salamanders are similar in structure: they have an elongated body, a long tail, underdeveloped limbs and a small head. These animals move much better in water (as already mentioned, this mainly refers to the lungless type), precisely because of their short and undeveloped legs. Such tailed amphibians are very interesting due to their variety of colors and sizes: in nature you can find amazing representatives of some species that really look like miniature dragons.

An animal belonging to any type of salamander has movable eyelids, thanks to which it can examine the situation around it.

In addition, such tailed amphibians have very poorly developed jaws, and in general the oral region is not conducive to eating solid food. The fire salamander has a rather unusual coloring that will definitely attract the attention of any unlucky tourist. But behind the bright appearance lies a toxic poison that can kill several living creatures at once.

Most of all, this dangerous animal resembles a familiar lizard, for example, a gecko, while the differences between them are easily noticeable upon closer examination. It’s not just about the colors, which are more prominent in salamanders, but also about other factors. Poisonous amphibians have a slimy, long body and bright eyes.

In many myths, the salamander is designated as a servant of dark forces. Partly because of its danger to surrounding creatures, and also because of its unusual appearance, any member of the family in the past was considered a serious threat to people. At the same time, the poison of this amphibian cannot kill a person; the maximum effect after it is a burn.

Salamander species

The modern classification includes several hundred species of salamanders, which belong to different families. Below is a description of several varieties of salamanders:

• , she's the same spotted salamander or common salamander (lat. Salamandra salamandra)- the most numerous in European territory a species whose representatives are distinguished by their large size, long life expectancy (up to 50 years in captivity) and bright aposematic (warning) coloration. The length of the salamander, including the tail, ranges from 23 to 30 cm. The main color of the body is black, strewn with contrasting orange or yellow spots, which are located evenly throughout the body, but have an irregular shape. Symmetry is present only on the paws and head. The fire salamander is distinguished from many members of the family by viviparity and fear of water. Animals are forced to descend into reservoirs only during the breeding season.

• Lusitanian salamander (golden-striped salamander) (lat. Chioglossa lusitanica)– rare view an amphibian, whose representatives grow up to 15-16 cm in length, but have a very long tail, accounting for 2/3 of the total body length. The color of the salamander is black, with 2 thin golden stripes or golden spots located in a row along the ridge. The entire surface of the back is dotted with small blue specks. Distinctive feature animal is that the Lusitanian salamander catches prey with the help of a tongue thrown forward, as frogs do. The salamander lives exclusively in northern regions Spain and Portugal.

• Alpine salamander (black salamander) (lat. Salamandra atra) Outwardly it resembles a fiery one, but is distinguished by a more graceful body and uniform black skin color. The body length of adult animals reaches 9-14 cm (sometimes 18 cm). Alpine salamanders They live at an altitude of up to 700 meters above sea level, preferring rocky landscapes and the banks of mountain streams. The species' range extends through the central and eastern regions of the Alpine ranges: from Switzerland and Austria to Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro.

• Spectacled salamander, she's the same Tarantolina(lat. Salamandrina terdigitata) is distinguished by a V-shaped pattern located on the head, the shape of which resembles glasses. The body color is dark brown, almost black; the “spectacles” can be red, yellow or white. The salamander's abdomen is bright red, which the animal demonstrates to the enemy as a frightening technique. The species' range is extremely narrow: the spectacled salamander can only be found in the south of Italy, in the humid forests of the Apennine Mountains.

• Caucasian salamander (lat. Mertensiella caucasica)– a rare species of long-tailed salamanders with a body length of no more than 15 cm, most which makes up the tail. The body is narrow, brown or black, and in most representatives of the species it is covered with bright yellow oval spots, which resembles a fire salamander. But unlike the latter, the Caucasian salamander moves quickly, like a lizard, and swims well. The animal is classified as vulnerable and lives exclusively in wooded areas and along the banks of water bodies in Turkey and Georgia.

• Thin salamander (lat. Plethodon richmondi) It is distinguished by a thick head, graceful physique and strong, developed legs. The salamander's body length ranges from 7.5 to 14.5 cm. The body is brown or black and covered with silvery spots. The salamander lives in the northeastern states of the USA (Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky).

• Spring salamander (lat. Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) extremely prolific and capable of laying up to 132 eggs. The body, growing from 12 to 23 cm in length, is distinguished by a bright red or orange-yellow color with small dark spots. The salamander lives in the United States and Canada in the mountainous regions of the Appalachians.

• Pacific salamander (lat. Ensatina eschscholtzii) It is distinguished by a small thick head, a strong slender body about 14.5 cm long and wrinkled skin on the sides, forming small folds. A typical inhabitant of the mountain landscapes of Canada, the USA and Mexico.

• Tree salamander (lat. Aneides lugubris) grows in length from 7 to 12 cm and has an inconspicuous light or dark brown color. The salamander has a muscular tail, on which it rests, deftly climbing trees, and jumping well on short distances and beeps loudly. The species' narrow habitat is limited American state California and the Mexican state of Baja California.

Character and lifestyle of the salamander

Salamanders, although they are loners, but before hibernation, in October, they gather in groups. To survive this unfavorable period for them together on land, in heaps of fallen leaves.

They hunt mainly at night, and during the day they hide in shelters from the direct rays of the sun. As a rule, there should be a body of water near their habitat. They overtake their prey with a sharp jerk and cover it with their body. After a short struggle, the victim is swallowed whole.

The salamander has many natural enemies; in order to escape, the animal leaves its tail or limbs in their claws and teeth and quickly runs away.

Although these amphibians are poisonous, their secretion does not cause mortal harm to humans. It can only cause irritation on the hands, and if it gets on the mucous membranes, it can burn the mouth or eyes. Therefore, after touching an amphibian, you need to wash your hands well so as not to harm yourself through carelessness.

Today, many people want to keep this mythical amphibian at home. You can buy fire salamanders in special nurseries or pet stores. They will need a large horizontal terrarium to live. A mixture of leaves, sphagnum and peat is usually poured onto its bottom. There is a small pond inside. The lighting should be dim and the temperature should not exceed 25 degrees.

What do salamanders eat?

They are classified as nocturnal inhabitants. In the wild, they go hunting at night. From night until dawn they are able to track their prey. To get food, salamanders attack the prey with their whole body and then try to swallow it whole.

The diet of the animals depends on the habitat. Individuals living in water feed on small fish, snails, crayfish, mollusks, crabs, as well as small insects, amphibians, and mammals.

Living on the ground, the salamander hunts larvae, snails, worms, slugs, and also eats various insects. Among them: butterflies, mosquitoes, spiders and flies. Large representatives of the family catch small newts and young frogs.

Salamander reproduction and lifespan

On average, salamanders live about 20 years, the duration depends on the size of the particular species. Small species reach sexual maturity by 3 years, and large ones by 5 years.

Hypnobranchs lay eggs, and true salamanders are viviparous or ovoviviparous.

1. Reproduction: males in mating season very active and ready to attack any moving object similar to a female, they also fight with each other for the female’s attention. Fertilization is internal, occurring either on land or in water. Shortly before the larvae hatch, the females enter the water. Large larvae located in the womb of the salamander mother eat their sisters and brothers, who turn out to be slightly smaller in stature. The larvae have no connection with the mother; she gives them nothing except shelter. The usual fertility of a female is 6-30 larvae.
2. Season/breeding period: from spring to autumn.
3. Puberty: occurs at the age of 3-4 years.
4. Courtship ritual: the male grasps the female from below. The spermatophore is deposited on the female’s body, and the male, helping her, moves it with his paws closer to the cloaca. The female captures the spermatophore with the cloaca.
5. Egg incubation: lasts 8-10 months.
6. Development: in water, the female salamander gives birth to almost fully formed larvae (weight about 0.2 g, length 25-30 mm). They have three pairs of feathery external gills, yellow spots are visible at the base of the limbs, the tail is long, flattened, trimmed with a wide fin fold that turns into a crest on the back. The head is large, round, the body is high, laterally compressed. Fire salamander larvae are predators and often engage in cannibalism. The larval period lasts all summer, metamorphosis ends in August-September, with a larval length of 50-60 mm. Fully formed small salamanders begin to breathe with their lungs and leave the pond. Before the end of metamorphosis, the larvae begin to crawl along the bottom, often rising to the surface of the water for air.

These amphibians are kept in a terrarium at home. It is necessary to fill the bottom with soil. It should be a mixture of soil, moss, coal and peat. Salamanders love to burrow into moss. But it dries out quite quickly. Therefore, it needs to be updated periodically. To create as close as possible to natural conditions It’s important to place one more thing in your pet’s house. These are dry driftwood, stones, and it is also good to plant several living plants.

The amphibian enjoys taking baths. Therefore, it is necessary to place a pond in the terrarium. Be sure to keep it clean. Change the water and rinse the container from time to time. It is not recommended to place two males in one house. The ideal option is several females and one male.

The salamander does not tolerate heat very well. Therefore, it is best to place the terrarium in dark places. For lighting, use fluorescent lamps, which must be purchased additionally. Buy a humidifier too. The humidity in the pet's home must be constantly maintained at a level of at least 75%.

It is often not recommended to pick up an amphibian. Animals don't like too much time tactile contact. In addition, they secrete a secretion that can cause irritation on the skin. It is important to create a balanced diet for your pet. Despite being kept in captivity, salamanders have an excellent appetite. The main thing is not to overfeed them. You need to give food 2 times a day. Please note that pets may completely refuse to eat for several days, or even weeks. This is normal before shedding and during hot weather.

The main diet of salamanders should consist of live insects. These are slugs, butterflies, beetles, crickets, caterpillars and flies. Sometimes you can give some fresh fish, beef liver or heart - also raw.

Salamander breeding

Puberty in salamanders occurs at the age of two to four years, usually when they reach a length of 12-14 cm. Mating occurs after wintering. Therefore, if you plan to breed amphibians, then they need to create a wintering area artificially - first lower the temperature to +8...+14 degrees, and then (in April) raise it to +18...+23. Plus, you can place more items in the terrarium where the couple can hide. During wintering, food is not offered to amphibians.

Mating begins in April-May. Salamanders are viviparous animals, so 9-10 months after fertilization, the female will lay larvae in the water. The number of larvae can reach 25-30.

Immediately after birth, the babies will need to be placed in a separate aquarium with mandatory aeration and filtration and maintaining a water temperature of +12-17 degrees. The aquarium must have a dry area. The babies need to be fed with corret, cyclops, daphnia, etc. After three to five months, the babies will reach a size of 5 cm and will be able to go onto land.

Health and characteristic diseases

Diseases characteristic of tailed amphibians:

If during molting you notice that your salamander is passive and often freezes, there is no need to worry. This is normal during this period. You just need to leave her alone and not pick her up. The amphibian falls into a state of torpor in winter, as well as during bad weather. The salamander is an excellent exotic pet.

Having such a miracle in your home, you will definitely not be bored, because observing the behavior of an exotic animal brings great pleasure. The amphibian feels great in captivity, does not require special care and does not cause any problems in the form of noise, dirt or other discomfort. It can be started by a beginner. You can purchase a salamander for between $15 and $40.

• The fire salamander, like all species from this family, has a toxic venom that is found on the surface of its skin. It is secreted by the parotid glands, and this process occurs constantly. The peculiarity is that if, for example, a dog eats a salamander, it will soon die.
• The poison of these animals is called salamandrin in chemistry. It is really dangerous for humans only when consumed internally, which is why the use of these amphibians as food is prohibited. It is also noteworthy that they use their poison exclusively for the purpose of self-defense, and not for hunting.
• The giant salamander prefers to be in water, or to be more precise: in cold and fast-flowing mountain streams. And, despite its large size, this animal does not disdain to feed on insects and crustaceans, alternating them with fish. The activity period of this species is at night.
• All salamanders have the ability to regenerate not only the tail, but also the rest of the limbs. In this feature they resemble lizards, but in this factor they are also ahead of them in development.
• They say that the fire (spotted) salamander only reproduces when there is a strong thunderstorm. Similarly, during riots, ignorant people try to achieve some position in society.
• According to German mythology, this family of amphibians personifies the spirit of fire. Moreover, the Germans in their stories attribute to salamanders the ability to tolerate combustion temperatures without any damage. From the point of view of the Christian faith, these creatures are messengers of the devil. And indeed, judging by the way the salamander looks, one might get such an impression.
• Many species are listed in the Red Book as they are endangered. This is due to the fact that animals are hunted to obtain poison. And in certain countries their meat is considered a delicacy.
• The official symbol of Alabama (USA) is the burrow salamander.
• IN sunny days the amphibian does not leave the cool and dark shelter. Those who plan to commit a crime under cover of night behave in a similar way.
• The salamander is not a lizard, but belongs to the class of amphibians. In the same way, one should not confuse foul language with a demon from the depths of hell.
• If hair falls out from the venom of a spotted salamander, then a person’s honor and good name are lost from slander.
• Beautiful spots on the back of an animal can symbolize hypocrisy, which always wears an attractive mask.

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