Alpine Salamander

Taxobox
name = Alpine Salamander
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down

---

image_width = 220px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Caudata
familia = Salamandridae
genus = "Salamandra"
species = "S. atra"
binomial = "Salamandra atra"
binomial_authority = Laurenti, 1768
range_

range_map_width = 220px

The Alpine Salamander ("Salamandra atra") is a shiny black salamander. It is found in the Central and Eastern Alps, at altitudes above 700 meters. Adult Alpine Salamanders are approximately 9 to 14 cm in length. Their life expectancy is at least ten years.

It is an ovoviviparous amphibian, giving birth to two live young. Generally, at altitudes of 650-1,000 metres, a pregnancy lasts 2 years, and at altitudes of 1,400 to 1,700 metres, the pregnancy lasts 3 years.

A subspecies, the Golden Alpine Salamander ("Salamandra atra aurorae"), is classified as being Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List 2002. This subspecies has golden or yellow spots on its back.

References

* Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

*cite web |url=http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/amphib_query?table=amphib&special=one_record&where-genus=Salamandra&where-species=atra |title=AmphibiaWeb: "Salamandra atra" |author=Arie van der Meijden |date=1999-12-30