Amphibians
Fire Salamander
Salamandra salamandra
About
A striking black-and-yellow amphibian found across European forests. Medieval people believed fire salamanders were born from flames because they often crawled out of logs thrown on fires (they were hiding in the damp wood).
Their Eggs
Unlike most salamanders, fire salamanders are ovoviviparous — eggs develop and hatch inside the mother. She deposits live larvae directly into streams and pools.
Egg Size Comparison
Fun Fact
Fire salamanders retain fertilized eggs internally and give birth to live, gill-bearing aquatic larvae. In some alpine subspecies, the mother retains the larvae even longer, giving birth to fully metamorphosed miniature adults.