by Scarlett Bowen (Celilo)
When I found the salamander, it took me a second to see it because it was all brown and it blends in with its surroundings. I first found it on the school sidewalk in the morning as I was walking to go inside from parent drop off. It was brown all over and its eyes were like cartoon eyes. They looked like they were really big and sparkly. I did not touch the salamander because I was nervous about if I would hurt it, what it would do and how it would feel. This was really cool because I have never seen a salamander out of water. I have caught many newts at Lost Lake though. Newts are a kind of salamander. I told my parents all about my find when I got home!
Facts about Salamanders from the World Book Encyclopedia:
- Harmless animals related to frogs and toads but they look like lizards.
- They are amphibians so they can breath in water and air.
- Like cold, wet and dark places.
- Live everywhere except Antarctica and Australia.
- Some species are hillbenders, mudpuppies, and newts.
- Newts are a kind of salamander.
- Most are only a few inches long but the Chinese Giant Salamander can be 6 feet long.

