🦎 Two-thirds of all salamander species are lungless; instead, they breathe through their skin. A salamander’s body absorbs oxygen, but it can also absorb other elements, too. Because of this, they are very susceptible to pollution and toxins in the environment. . . . 🚯 The health of a salamander population in an area says a lot about the health of the whole ecosystem. The best things folks at home can do for salamanders are to refrain from polluting; be mindful of the pesticides you use in you

Come with us as we search for salamanders & other herpetofauna with Smithsonian scientist Brian Gratwicke & asst. curator of herpetology, Matthew Evans! How many salamander species do you recognize? 🦎 #AmphibianWeek #AmphibianWeek2023 #salamanders #herpetology | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute