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Why are most adult salamanders active at night?
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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.
Most adult salamanders are nocturnal, meaning they are primarily active at night, to manage their physiological need for moisture and appropriate environmental temperatures. Because salamanders absorb water through their skin, they are highly sensitive to desiccation and must remain in moist environments.123
During the day, they typically seek refuge in damp, sheltered locations such as fallen logs, rock piles, crevices in the soil, or thick leaf litter to avoid the drying effects of the sun and heat. They generally emerge to forage only when environmental conditions, specifically moisture and temperature levels, are favorable.12