Salamandrina – Spectacled salamanders

This genus comprises just two species, both native to Italy: the northern spectacled salamander (Salamandrina perspicillata) and the southern spectacled salamander (Salamandrina terdigitata). Their common name, “spectacled salamander,” stems from the distinctive eye markings that resemble glasses, making them easily recognizable among other amphibians.

Salamandrina species are relatively small, typically reaching about 12 centimeters (5 inches) in length. Their bodies are slender, and their skin has a slightly rough texture, which is unusual for salamanders, as many tend to have smooth, moist skins. They possess a darker dorsal (back) side and a lighter ventral (belly) side, with the “spectacles” around their eyes being a key feature that not only aids in camouflage but also adds to their distinct appearance.

These salamanders are strictly terrestrial, meaning they live their entire lives on land, unlike many other salamander species that require aquatic environments for part of their life cycle. They prefer cool, damp environments such as forests and river valleys but are also found in some drier, rocky areas. Due to their nocturnal nature, they are most active at night when they emerge to feed on a diet of small invertebrates like insects, spiders, and worms.

One of the most interesting aspects of Salamandrina’s biology is their reproductive strategy. They breed in late winter or early spring, and females lay eggs in moist, terrestrial settings rather than in water. This adaptation is likely a response to their environments, which may lack suitable bodies of water for the typical aquatic larval stage seen in other salamanders. Additionally, the female spectacled salamander exhibits a rare behavior of guarding her eggs, a trait not commonly observed among European salamanders.