Lizard or Salamander? How do you know?

Hello Friends!

I thought it was time for another blog. I though it would be cool if we learned about how to identify a salamander from a lizard. There are some significant differences that can clue you in on what the animal is.

I am going to start by testing you. Which one is the lizard and which one is a salamander? (Photos by ME).

If you are unsure, that is alright, because the objective of this blog is to help you learn how to identify which is which. Hopefully, by the end, you can identify them both.

Let's get started!

Salamanders have smooth, moist skin

Salamanders are amphibians which according to Salamanders of The Southeast by Joe Mitchell and Whit Gibbons, means "both lives," indicating that most amphibians have both a larval stage that is aquatic and an adult stage that is usually terrestrial..." The authors go on to describe salamanders as having "thin, permeable skin and must have special behaviors or adaptations to tolerate dry environments."

So a big clue for salamanders is that they need a somewhat moist environment to survive, for many species breathes through their skin. So, if you find an animal that you are wondering if it is a lizard or a salamander, take note of the skin and see if it is moist and smooth looking or not, And, take note of the habitat you find this creature in, as that can be a clue too.

Another big clue is that salamanders do not have scales.

Look closely at the photo below and you will see, it has smooth, moist skin. Be sure to look for the moist part, some lizards can look like they have smooth skin at a glance. Avoid touching the animal if you can, salamanders breathe through their skin and the oils on your skin as well as stuff like sunscreen, bug repellent, etc. can harm them.

This animal below is a white-spotted slimy salamander.

Note: Smooth and moist skin. This is a salamander. (Photo by ME) 

Lizards have scales and rough dry skin

So, while salamanders have moist skin and lack scales, lizards have rough, dry skin and scales. On top of that, lizards can tolerate much dryer climates and habitats than salamanders, Lizards and salamanders can be found in the some of the same habitats, but lizards can be found further from water. Also, according to Reptiles and Amphibians: National Geographic Nature Library by Catherine Herbert Howell, "Like kids, many lizards are good at running and climbing, but some lizards can do incredible things that a kid cannot. They can glide through the air, scamper up a wall, and scoot upside down along the ceiling..."

So some big clues here are that lizards have scales and rough, dry skin. They can climb and scale up walls ( not all can scale up walls, but many can). Some salamanders can climb to some extent too, but not up walls, as far as I know. Lizards are better climbers overall. Keep in mind though that there are other factors to consider when identifying them.

Note: Scaly, dry, rough skin. This is a Lizard. (Photo by ME).

Lizards have Ear Holes (Openings). Salamanders Do Not

Note: Ear hole (opening) on the side of head. This is a Lizard. (Photo by ME).

If you look closely at the photo above, you will see the ear opening or hole on the side of the head, there is one on each side. This is a big clue on figuring out if it is a lizard or a salamander. This is a lizard, called a six-lined racerunner. Lizards, unlike salamanders have the ear openings and can hear to some extent but not well. So look for the ear opening to identify a lizard.

Salamanders on the other hand, do not have ear holes/openings. Look closely at the photo below and you will see that on the side of this animals' head, there is no opening. This animal below is a marbled salamander. Interesting, isn't? Look and see if the animal is lacking an ear opening, it could be a salamander.

Note: No ear hole/opening. This is a Salamander. (Photo by ME).

Lizards have Claws. Salamanders Do Not

If you look closely at the photo below, you will see the claws on this animal, This is a bearded dragon; a lizard. Lizards have claws which helps them accomplish various tasks, including climbing up trees, fences and other things.So, look for claws on the animal you find. If it does not have any, then it is probably a salamander. Though lizards can be quick and will dart away when you approach them, as will many salamanders, so that could make it a hard clue to look for. If this a clue you cannot see, no worries, try looking for some of the other clues we are learning about.

** I will note that there are some lizards that do not even have arms or legs. Thus they do not have claws. These are called glass lizards or sometimes, legless lizards. But, claws are still important in differentiating lizards and salamanders**

Note the claws. This is a lizard. (Photo by ME)

If you look closely at the photo below, you will see that this animal is lacking in toes, This is a spotted salamander, Salamanders do not have claws. 

Note: No claws on its toes. This is a Salamander. (Photo by ME)

So, those are the big clues for telling a lizard and a salamander apart. There are a few other differences, but I would encourage you to research and check it out yourself, they are fascinating creatures to study. So, now go back up to the top page and see if you can identify the salamander and the lizard.


I will give another comparison: Look carefully, this one is meant to be tricky. Here is a quick rundown of the clues we learned about. Salamanders have moist and smooth skin, they do not have scales nor do they have ear holes/openings, and they do not have claws. Lizards have rough, dry skin and scales. They have ear holes/openings and they do have claws,

**Remember that there some lizards that lack arms and legs, thus lacking claws. But, claws are still important in differentiating lizards and salamanders** 

Go ahead and take a crack at figuring out the lizard and salamander. Try with the ones pictured earlier on in the blog first and then come back to the one below.

(Photo by ME)

Note: Here is a clue. This animal does have claws. It is hard to see, but it does. (Photo by ME) 

How did you do? Here are some additional facts about lizards and salamanders which are very interesting.


Here are some fun facts that I think you should know about salamanders and lizards!


Some lizards can get up on their hind legs and run for a short distance.

Many species of Lizards and many species of Salamanders can break their tails when a predator grabs them, They usually will then make an escape and will eventually regrow their tails! 

A Red-Backed Salamander that is regrowing its tail. (Photo by ME)

Authors Joe Mitchell and Whit Gibbons write in their book, Salamanders of the Southeast, "All larval and adult salamanders are carnivores; that is they eat other animals. Most adults consume a variety of invertebrates such as insects and their larvae, worms...and other invertebrates. Some salamanders will kill and eat larvae and adults of other species, and some even cannibalize their own kind." 

It's pretty cool and crazy stuff! Lizards' diets vary among species as well. However some are considered omnivores; which eats other animals and plants. Then there are some that are herbivores; which eats only on plants. 

As always, fill free to ask me any questions you have and I hope you have learned something about lizards and salamanders. I will leave you with some more photos. Also, on both the challenges. the salamanders are the top photos and likewise, the lizards are the bottom photos. 

(Photos by ME).