Siberian salamander
Encyclopedia
The Siberian salamander, Salamandrella keyserlingii, is a species of salamander
found in Northeast Asia
. It is found primarily in Siberia
, in wet woods and riparian groves. There are also outlying populations in northern Kazakhstan
and Mongolia
, and also in northeastern China
and on the Korean Peninsula
. It is believed extirpated from South Korea
. An isolated population exists on Hokkaidō
, Japan, in the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park
. A breeding-ground of Siberian salamanders in Paegam
, South Hamgyong, is designated North Korean natural monument #360.
Adults are from 9 to 12.5 centimeters in length. Their bodies are bluish-brown in color, with a purple stripe along the back. There are thin dark brown stripes between and around the eyes, and also sometimes on the tail. There are four clawless toes on each foot. The tail is longer than the body.
A single egg sac contains 50-80 eggs on average, with a single female typically laying up to 240 eggs in a season. The light-brown eggs hatch three to four weeks after being laid, releasing larval salamanders of 11-12 mm in length.
The species is known for surviving deep freezes (as low as -50F). In some cases they have been known to remain frozen in permafrost
for years, and upon thawing, walking off.http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13918902.200-science-how-salamanders-survive-the-deep-freeze-.html
Salamander
Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...
found in Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia and Northeastern Asia refers to the northeastern subregion of Asia. Though the precise definition of Northeast Asia changes according to context, it always includes Japan and the Korean Peninsula, and is sometimes used to refer to these two regions exclusively.-Definitions:The...
. It is found primarily in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, in wet woods and riparian groves. There are also outlying populations in northern Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
and Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, and also in northeastern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and on the Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
. It is believed extirpated from South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. An isolated population exists on Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan, in the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park
is a national park located in the east of the island of Hokkaidō, Japan. It was designated as a national park on 31 July 1987, and is the 28th and most recent of Japan's national parks. The park is known for its wetlands ecosystems....
. A breeding-ground of Siberian salamanders in Paegam
Paegam
Paegam is a kun, or county, in Ryanggang province, North Korea. The terrain is mountainous, as Paegam lies atop the Paektu Plateau, site of Korea's highest mountains. The Hamgyong and Machonryong ranges pass through the county; the highest point is Kwesangbong. There are many streams; the chief...
, South Hamgyong, is designated North Korean natural monument #360.
Adults are from 9 to 12.5 centimeters in length. Their bodies are bluish-brown in color, with a purple stripe along the back. There are thin dark brown stripes between and around the eyes, and also sometimes on the tail. There are four clawless toes on each foot. The tail is longer than the body.
A single egg sac contains 50-80 eggs on average, with a single female typically laying up to 240 eggs in a season. The light-brown eggs hatch three to four weeks after being laid, releasing larval salamanders of 11-12 mm in length.
The species is known for surviving deep freezes (as low as -50F). In some cases they have been known to remain frozen in permafrost
Permafrost
In geology, permafrost, cryotic soil or permafrost soil is soil at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years. Ice is not always present, as may be in the case of nonporous bedrock, but it frequently occurs and it may be in amounts exceeding the potential hydraulic saturation of...
for years, and upon thawing, walking off.http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13918902.200-science-how-salamanders-survive-the-deep-freeze-.html
