Salamanders encompasses approximately 500 species of amphibians. They typically have slender bodies, short legs, and long tails.

Their moist skin causes them to live in or near water or find shelter on moist ground. They can typically be found in brooks, creeks, ponds and other moist locations such as under rocks. Some species are aquatic throughout life, others take to the water periodically, and a few are completely terrestrial as adults. They lay shelless eggs in water.

Salamanders are capable of regenerating lost limbs.

There are many different species of salamanders, they are usually found in moist or arid habitats in the northern hemisphere. Most are small, although some reach up to 5 inches in length.