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Did you know that Wisconsin is

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home to seven different

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species of salamander?

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That's right!

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Even though you might not
be used to seeing

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these lizard-like amphibians,

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they're all around us.

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We found four species on a trip

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to Kettle Moraine State Forest

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just north of West Bend.

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The spotted salamander,

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the blue spotted salamander,

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the four-toed salamander,

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and the eastern

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redback salamander.

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protecting their newly

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laid eggs.

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You see,

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salamanders rely on vernal pools

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which are a temporary wetland

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that fills up in the spring

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and dries out in the summer.

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They need these pools

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to reproduce

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as there aren't any predators

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like there might be in a lake.

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Once salamanders
are fully grown,

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these special animals

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still rely on wetlands
for a habitat

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as they breathe through

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their skin

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instead of having lungs.

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You heard that right!

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Salamanders can actually absorb

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water and oxygen
through their skin,

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which means they love to live in

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damp places close to water.

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Vernal pools, dense
moss,

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and rotten logs

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logs are like a five-star hotel

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for just about every salamander.

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That makes
Kettle Moraine

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State Forest

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a great place for salamanders

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to live and thrive

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right in the heart of Wisconsin.