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Animal profile

Lungless Salamanders

AmphibiaDamp forest floor, streamsides, caves and tropical vegetation

Field profile

Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders, is by far the largest salamander family, containing the majority of all living salamander species. Every member lacks lungs as an adult and exchanges gas through skin and the lining of the mouth. The family spans stream-dwellers, forest-floor species, cave specialists and tropical climbers.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2026-04-05

Lungless Salamanders

Most salamander species have no lungs

Losing lungs sounds like a handicap, yet the lungless family Plethodontidae accounts for roughly two-thirds of all salamander species. Breathing through the skin freed the mouth and throat for a projectile tongue instead.

Read with evidence →

Lungless Salamanders | Daily Animal Facts