II.

Range and Habitat

Salamanders are found throughout much of the world at altitudes up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft). In the western hemisphere their range spreads across the United States and Canada and extends south through Central America to the northern portion of South America. Salamanders also live in Europe, the Mediterranean area, Africa, and Asia, including the islands of Japan and Taiwan.

Many salamanders inhabit moist, forested areas, sheltering in shallow burrows or amidst fallen leaves, logs, and other ground debris. Some salamanders, including all members of a subgroup called newts, divide their time between land and watery environments such as the edges of streams and small springs. Others are totally aquatic. For instance, giant salamanders such as the hellbender spend their entire lives in rivers, streams, or bodies of water inside underground caves. On the other hand, some tropical salamanders never live in the water, making their homes in bushes and trees instead.