Four-toed Salamander - Hemidactylium scutatum

This is the smallest salamander found in Connecticut. They are reddish brown with white bellies that have black specks. Unlike other lungless salamanders, this species has four toes on its hind feet, rather than five.

This poor creature had somehow lost its tail. It has the ability to detach its tail at the distinct basal constriction if grabbed by a potential predator. After detaching, the tail wiggles to distract the predator, while the salamander escapes. The tail will eventually grow back.

Habitat: Under a log in a mixed swamp

comments (4)

Barry

Lion

Tail and limb regeneration is a fascinating but poorly understood biochemical phenomenon - but still fills me with wonder. Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  It is seriously fascinating, I agree! I hope the tail grows back quickly because this salamander wasn't exactly agile as it was moving around. Losing the tail may have saved its life once, but I can't help but wonder how many tail-less salamanders survive long enough for their tail to grow back. It must be awfully hard to evade predators. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Barry
    
    Lion
    
    Interesting point, and I wonder if anything has been published on predation rates after tail loss. It MUST have some evolutionary benefit though, because it is very widespread in amphibians. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      True, the benefits must be advantageous since it's such a common thing. I read a bit about it, and learned that they are more likely to shed their tail when bitten by a snake (a behavior that would save their life if bitten by a venomous snake). Something else I found really interesting was that those who lost their tails modify their behaviors (their senses are heightened to detect/smell predators, they stay in safer locations, hide near foraging sites to reduce travel, etc.). Posted 6 years ago