Spectacled Salamander

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Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Caudata
Family:	Salamandridae
Genus:	Salamandrina
Species:	S. terdigitata

Binomial name

Salamandrina terdigitata
Lac�p�de, 1788

Synonyms

Salamandra perspicillata Savi, 1821

The Spectacled Salamander (Salamandrina terdigitata) is a species of salamander in the Salamandridae family. It is found only in Italy. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, and freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

This species is found only in the Apennine Range. It is considered an important indicator species of environmental health. It has 4 toes on the hind feet rather than the 5 normally found in other salamanders and newts. It has a warty, brownish-black back, and a rather ribbed appearance on its flanks, with a creamy white, V-shaped mark between the eyes. The underside is covered in black and white markings, with pinkish-red underside to legs and tail.

The Spectacled Salamander is to be found in very damp surroundings and is active at night and overcast, cool days. When threatened, it raises its tail and legs (unkenreflex), displaying its red underside as a deterrent. Similar warning displays (aposematism) is shown by newts, the Apennine Yellow-bellied Toad and the Spotted Salamander. The Spectacled Salamander female enters water only to lay eggs, while the male, once metamorphosis has taken place, avoids water altogether.