Last Thursday evening as we walked a road in Belerda (Casu, Asturies), we find no less than seven Tailed Salamanders ( Chioglossa lusitanica) that came to feed the slope. Some walked slowly among the moss while others still remained hidden in the caves that served as shelter.
This small urodeles amphibians is one of the most unique of our herpetofauna and Iberian endemic whose distribution is restricted to Galicia, Asturias and part of northern Portugal.
Dartford Salamanders preferred siliceous substrates, being virtually absent in areas of limestone. They also need high humidity so they tend to occur in the vicinity of streams on rocky or sandy soil and covered with moss.
These salamanders, as its common name, has a long tail disproportionate to its body, and as with the lizards have the ability to discard it if a predator harassing them and can regenerate later. Thus, the predator will be entertained with the glue that will keep moving for a few seconds while the salamander escapes life saving.
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