salamander

Everyday

1. A salamander is a small amphibian with a long body, a tail, four short legs and smooth, damp skin, which looks a bit like a lizard. tree →
2. In old stories and legends, a salamander was a creature that could live in fire. tree →

In the lessons

Science (classifying animals and life cycles): salamanders are amphibians like frogs and newts — they lay eggs in water, and young ones often breathe with gills. Some can regrow a lost tail or leg. Some have bright colours to warn that they are poisonous. Phrases: fire salamander, spotted salamander, giant salamander.

Examples

• A salamander hid under the wet log. tree →
• Salamanders are amphibians, not reptiles. tree →
• The fire salamander is black and yellow. tree →
• Some salamanders can grow back a lost leg. tree →
• We saw a salamander near the stream. tree →
• Don't pick up a salamander — your skin can harm it and some are poisonous. tree →

Note

Countable. Trap: salamanders look like lizards but are amphibians: lizards have dry scaly skin, salamanders have moist smooth skin. Newts are a kind of salamander. The legend about living in fire is a myth.