The Almirante Salamander
Meet the Almirante Salamander: A Hidden Gem of Costa Rica’s Forests
The Almirante Salamander is one of Costa Rica’s lesser-known animals, yet it is a fascinating creature that plays an important role in the ecosystem. With its bright colors, nocturnal habits, and ability to regenerate lost limbs, this salamander is a quiet survivor of the humid forest floor. While you might not spot one as easily as a monkey or sloth, discovering an Almirante Salamander on a night walk is an unforgettable experience.
Key Facts
Size: Up to 15 cm (6 inches)
Weight: Around 10–15 grams (0.35–0.53 ounces)
Lifespan: 10–15 years in the wild
Diet: Small insects, worms, and invertebrates
Reproduction: Lays eggs in moist, hidden locations near freshwater
Fascinating Facts
The Almirante Salamander is full of surprising abilities. Like many salamanders, it can regenerate lost limbs, a survival trait that helps it recover from predator attacks. It can breathe through both lungs and skin, but to do this successfully its skin must stay moist. This sensitivity to humidity and temperature ties it closely to its environment.
Its bright coloration serves as a warning to predators, signaling the toxins it secretes as a defense. Younger salamanders often display different color patterns than adults, showing how their appearance changes as they age.
These salamanders are solitary animals, coming together only during the rainy season to mate. Females lay eggs in hidden damp spots close to water, ensuring their young develop in the safest possible conditions.
Habitat and Behavior
The Almirante Salamander is nocturnal, staying hidden under rocks, logs, or leaf litter during the day to avoid predators and the heat. At night, it emerges to hunt for small insects and worms. Its quiet, secretive life makes it difficult to find, but also adds to its mystery.
Its ability to survive in low-oxygen environments and its reliance on both skin and lungs for breathing show how well adapted it is to the unique conditions of Costa Rica’s humid forests.
Where to See the Almirante Salamander in Costa Rica
Spotting an Almirante Salamander takes patience and luck, but guided night tours give you the best chance. Some of the best locations include:
Gandoca Manzanillo Guided Hike
Veragua Rainforest in Puerto Limón
These tours often focus on amphibians and reptiles, not just the larger animals like monkeys and sloths, offering a rare opportunity to see this colorful salamander in its natural habitat.
Download the Quick Fact Sheet
Want a handy one-page version?
👉 Download our Almirante Salamander Fact Sheet (PDF)
