Is it true that a salamander grows back its leg when it is pulled out like a lizard’s tail?

This question was addressed during our project on salamanders. several children in the class agreed…

Asker: Diane, 44 years old

Answer

This is not true. The legs of a salamander do not grow back. What’s more, a lizard’s tail doesn’t grow back either. A lizard’s tail can break off as a flight mechanism during predation, but it remains amputated and does not grow back.

I would therefore strongly advise children not to pull out the legs of salamanders! Not only is this animal abuse, there is also a huge chance that the animal will die from infection, stress or predation due to reduced mobility.

Is it true that a salamander grows back its leg when it is pulled out like a lizard’s tail?

Answered by

Ann Geens

biology, biomedical sciences

SDS
Rijvisschestraat 120 9052 Ghent
http://www.biotechnology.be

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