North African Fire Salamander

North Africa Fire Salamander

Characteristics

This specific salamander is large with brightly coloured spots, it has a slender body with smooth skin and a long tail with a rounded tip. It also has long limbs with stubby un-webbed toes on the end. It's body is either a glossy black or dark brown colour with irregular shaped yellow or red spots. It also has a small narrow head that is partially flattened with a rounded snout, prominent eyes and large conspicuous parotoid glands (External skin glands). It also has lines of poisonous glands along its back and tail.

Range

Found in the northwest of Africa in the isolated locations of northern Morocco and northern Tunisia.

Although it may be extinct in Northern Tunisia. It can be found in humid montane forest (a zone of cool upland sloped below the tree line) . During the day its stay under the shelter of logs, stones, roots and leaf litter.

Classification and Threats

The North African Fire Salamander is classified as Vulnerable on the IUNC Red List. Its main threat is the reduction of quality and quantity of their forest habitats. This is cause by deforestation, overgrazing by livestock, intensification of agriculture and channelization of water sources.

Information form : http://www.arkive.org/north-african-fire-salamander/salamandra-algira/

Picture Credits to Wouter Beukema and www.arkive.org