Found only in central and northern parts of the Italian Peninsula, this species is a master of camouflage at first glance but reveals a striking beauty when observed closely. Its name comes from the pale markings around its large, dark eyes, giving it the appearance of wearing tiny spectacles—an elegant and unusual feature that sets it apart from nearly every other salamander.

This salamander is small, with a slender body and a long tail. Its back is typically a muted brown or gray, helping it disappear against the damp forest floor. But flip it over, and you’ll discover a dazzling secret: its underside is black with vivid red or orange markings, sometimes arranged in irregular blotches or bands. These bright flashes are not just decoration—they serve as a warning to predators, since like many salamanders, it can secrete mild toxins from its skin. When threatened, it may raise and twist its body to display its colorful belly, a defensive posture known as the unken reflex, which makes the hidden warning colors suddenly visible.

The northern spectacled salamander is closely tied to its habitat. It thrives in humid deciduous forests, shaded ravines, and stream valleys, always near clean, flowing water. By day, it hides under rocks, moss, or leaf litter to avoid drying out, emerging at night to feed on tiny invertebrates like insects, spiders, and worms. Reproduction occurs in cool mountain streams, where females lay eggs on submerged vegetation or rocks, and the larvae develop in water before metamorphosing into land-dwelling juveniles. Unlike frogs and toads that rely heavily on ponds, spectacled salamanders require cold, fast-flowing waters, making them highly sensitive to pollution, deforestation, and climate change.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Italy

EN

2021