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Fire salamander portrait

Eyes are protruding high from their cavities.

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Adult FIRE SALAMANDERs grow to an average 20 cm long, largest individuals can reach 30 cm. Eyes are large and prominent, its iris is dark. Its body is cylindrical, with a striking pattern which is unique to all individuals. Its back and sides are shiny black with light or darker yellow blotches (in some populations there are specimens with orange or red blotches, especially in the Börzsöny Mountains). Its belly is typically grey with yellow blotches. At the two side of its nape there are yellow, kidney-shaped parotid glands. At the middle of its back there are two parallel rows of glandular pores, and there are a row of warty tubercles on each side.

Distibution map by our National Herpetological Mapping Program:

Fire salamander portrait

Its parotid glands are conspicuous yellow protrusions behind its eyes.

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Fire salamander pattern

The distribution of its patches is irregular and every specimen has a unique pattern.

(photo: Judit Vörös)

Fire salamander

Individuals with yellow patches are much more common in Hungary than those with orange or red patches.

(photo: Judit Vörös)

Fire salamander skin

Its skin is rubbery and looks shiny from mucous.

(photo: Judit Vörös)

Fire salamander in its shelter

It prefers humid, damp shelters and is often encountered between streambed rocks.

(photo: Judit Vörös)

Fire salamander portrait

Its wide mouth has a huge gap.

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Fire salamander ventral colouration

Its belly is charcoal grey without blotches.

(photo: Bálint Halpern)

Fire salamander larva

Its larva is mottled brown with bright yellow patches at the base of its limbs.

(photo: Judit Vörös)

Fire salamander in leaf litter

Its striking colouration can act as a camouflage in the autumn leaf litter.

(photo: Bálint Halpern)