Salamander Small Journal

The following description appears on the inside cover of your small journal.

DESCRIPTION

Salamander

People in ancient times were occasionally surprised by what they saw as lizard-like creatures scurrying from the logs they would throw onto their fires.  They gave this little animal the name of salamander, or “fire creature.”  The mythical salamander was believed to be born of fire, and its affinity for flames, along with its amazing ability to regenerate limbs, led people to ascribe magical and supernatural powers to this curious creature.
In reality salamanders are not reptiles at all, but amphibians, related to frogs and toads.  They have delicate, moist, smooth skin, through which they absorb all the water they need.  While their ability to tolerate fire is a myth, they do have the uncanny ability to regenerate body parts.  If they lose a limb, they will re-grow a perfect copy, a phenomenon which continues to intrigue biologists of our time.

artwork and text by Meghan Kennedy