A Red-Cheeked Salamander by the Stream

A tiny animal rests on a flat rock by a stream. Red marks shine on its cheeks.

This is a red-cheeked salamander. It lives in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The salamander has a long body and a long tail. It has four short legs and dark skin.

A few leaves lie on the rock beside it. The stream flows past the rock, and trees shade the ground.

Red-cheeked salamanders live on land. They can be found in damp woods near streams.

A salamander may hide under a rock or among wet leaves. These spots help keep its skin moist.

Its skin is very important. This salamander has no lungs. It takes in air through its skin and the lining of its mouth.

The salamander looks for tiny animals to eat. Its meals can include small bugs and other tiny creatures.

A red-cheeked salamander lays eggs on land. The eggs are often hidden in a damp place, such as under a log.

When the young hatch, they look like tiny salamanders. They do not need to grow up in the stream.

The damp woods give these small animals places to hide and find food. Rocks, logs, and leaves can all be useful homes.

If you see a salamander, look without touching it. Its skin is delicate, and things on our hands can harm it.

Soon, the little salamander may slip off the flat rock. It can find shelter among the cool, damp leaves.