Salamanders, who belong to the order Caudata, are secretive amphibians with long tails and slender builds. Many of these species depend on vernal pools to breed in, however these behaviors greatly vary. Larvae may be aquatic or terrestrial depending on the salamander species. Aquatic larvae are easily recognizable by their feather gills, which are absorbed during metamorphosis for terrestrial species. There are over 600 species of salamanders, and 12 can be found in Connecticut. A majority are lungless salamanders, Plethodontidae, who lack lungs and respirate through their skin. Many mole salamanders, Ambystoma, can also be found in the state. These salamanders spend much of their time underground in burrows. Others such as mudpuppies in the family Proteidae are fully aquatic species, while Salamandridae, also known as newts, spend most of their lives in water as well. 

To learn more about the salamanders found in Connecticut, click on a species below: