ABSTRACT
The Family Salamandridae (newts and salamanders) is the most widespread of all families of ‘tailed amphibians’. They are relatively small amphibians but few could be more spectacular, at least among European newts and salamanders, than the striking black and yellow colours of Salamandra salamandra. There are claims that the colourful appearance of this animal has a warning function, which is possible, as it is able to protect itself with noxious skin secretions produced by large numbers of ducts from cutaneous glands. However, skin secretions are not uncommon among other amphibians, of which some species are not at all spectacular in appearance and colour. The name Fire Salamander could have many origins. In some early books there was the explanation that, when thrown in the fire, the flames could be extinguished as a result of the animal bursting and ejecting fluids.
