Salamanders are amphibians with tails and soft, moist skin. Some salamanders breathe through their skin, so it must stay wet. They also absorb water through their skin. If salamanders dry out, they can become sick or even die. Moisture is essential to their survival.
In the cloud forests of Cerro El Pital, El Salvador, salamanders are leaving their home on the forest floor and climbing up trees. Why? The cloud forest is becoming warmer and drier as the climate changes. To survive, the salamanders climb trees to seek shelter in cool, moist places. High in the trees, the salamanders shelter in plants called bromeliads. These plants hold pools of water and are cooler than the surrounding area.
Biologist William Merino is studying the salamanders to learn how they are adapting to the warming climate. Watch the video to learn more:
Educator tip: Pair the video with this story about Chinese giant salamanders, sometimes called “freshwater pandas.”
