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How do salamanders absorb water through their skin?

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Study an amphibious tiger salamander of the mole salamander family Ambystomatidae in its natural habitat — Caudata Tiger salamanders (*Ambystoma tigrinum*) are widespread across much of the United States. Although they are generally black with yellow blotches, bars, spots, or even stripes, some are lighter in colour or have olive markings. Tiger salamanders belong to the mole salamander family, Ambystomatidae.

Salamanders, like other amphibians, possess smooth, moist skin that is highly vascular and serves as a vital organ for both respiration and water absorption.12

This process of water uptake occurs through the skin via osmotic pressure. Because their skin acts as a semipermeable membrane, water naturally diffuses from the environment into the animal's body if the solute concentration of the surrounding environment is lower than that of their internal body fluids.3

To facilitate this, salamanders require a moist habitat to prevent dehydration and ensure the skin remains functional for these physiological exchanges. Their skin contains numerous mucous glands that help maintain the necessary moisture levels on the surface, which is essential for the permeability required for this absorption.412