Six-legged Lava Salamander
A large, six legged amphibian common in the Pacific Islands and many nations bordering the Pacific Ocean, these salamanders are a staple food source for many ecosystems for animals and people alike. Known for being incredibly docile aside from their incredible appetite for anything that will fit in their mouths, they are a common creature in the exotic pet trade and popular with children. On the island nation of the Republic of Shanai, the salamander's populations are in incredibly high numbers and are considered a popular tourist attraction.
The Lava Salamander gets its name from their habit of living in dormant lava tubes on the volcanic islands they inhabit, as they frequently become a pipeline for groundwater to flow through. The Six Legged Lava Salamander did not originate in the Pacific, instead, recent archaeological finds have found the species originated in Central Asia, as there are many fossils of them throughout their development found there. Curiously, there are no records of the salamanders being there in living memory, and they likely climbed aboard ships to the islands they now inhabit.
Basic Information
Anatomy
These salamanders, unlike other species, have six legs, and grow to immense sizes, between two and five feet long, although specimens from Shanai have known to be quite larger on average, between four and seven feet long. They have broad heads with large mouths, capable of swallowing anything that can fit into it and will eat just about anything from fruit, small animals, and even other salamanders.
Unlike most species, they possess a third set of legs roughly halfway down the body, right between their front and hing legs. These aid in swimming and climbing, making the salamanders much more stable than their four legged cousins.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Lava Salamanders breed in early spring through early summer, gathering in freshwater pools and streams to spawn. Females will lay hundreds of eggs each, between two and three hundred, with the largest females laying closer to five hundred each season. The offspring start as larva, and over the next several months will grow, feasting on insects and fish until their legs fully develop at which point they will leave the water and become primarily terrestrial.
Growth Rate & Stages
All of the salamanders start as larva, about an inch or two long upon hatching. Over months, they will grow to be about eight to nine inches, and become terrestrial. This is the most dangerous time in their lives, in which they will be predated by birds, reptiles, and other salamanders.
They reach adulthood and grow to breeding size quickly, at about a year of age, and grow continuously throughout their lives. As adults, the lava salamander is most commonly preyed upon by large birds, crocodiles, and large fish when they return to the water to rehydrate themselves.
Ecology and Habitats
A species of salamander native to Asia, but extinct in its former range, the species is found all across the Pacific Islands, likely introduced through escaped pets and ships. The species was unknown prior to them colonizing island nations like Shanai, where their numbers are the highest, and thus got their name from their habit of living in dormant lava tubes. Tourists in Shanai are known to feed the salamanders, them being an attraction themselves
Dietary Needs and Habits
These amphibians are well known for eating just about anything that fits in their mouths, whether it is food or not. Fallen fruit, insects, fish, small reptiles, and other amphibians are all on the menu. Captive bred individuals are commonly fed fruit, soft vegetables, and small to medium sized fish. Individuals living on Shanai, as they are commonly fed by tourists, will eat all manners of food such as junk food, chips, jerky, and festival food. They are also known to feast on garbage.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The people of Shanai and other islands invaded by the salamanders are best known for using them as a minor tourist attraction- the salamanders aren't found outside the tropics, and foreigners love to feed them. They're commonly sold in the pet industry as well, which likely started their colonization of the islands in the first place. They are also a rather common item on the street food menu, with fried salamanders being sold at all festivals in the Republic of Shanai, as they have no fear of people and are quite easy to catch and easy enough to breed in captivity.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Pacific Islands, notably the Republic of Shanai
Average Intelligence
These amphibians are not well known for their intelligence, although when motivated by food, they can be quite clever, if only by their absolute lack of giving up. Lava Salamanders are known for getting stuck in stores and residential homes, storm drains, and pipes, needing assistance to remove themselves, but also can quickly get themselves stuck again if not moved far enough away. Owners of the salamanders note they can and will attempt to eat anything, from trash, shoes, and even their own tails should they bite onto them.
Origin/Ancestry
Asian
Lifespan
30 years (wild) 65 to 85 years (captive)
Conservation Status
Invasive
Average Length
2' to 5'
4' to 7' (Shanin Range Only)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Most often they have black bodies with bright, colorful markings, usually spots along the back or stripes on the tail. Orange, blues, and reds are the most common, although the pet trade has introduced (and subsequently, released) morphs such as albino, pastel, lilac, and sunglow into the wild.
Geographic Distribution
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