TIGER SALAMANDERS

Tiger Salamanders are the only native salamander on the Navajo Nation. They are commonly found within permanent water sources here. Their name comes from their coloration pattern which is typically brown or green with yellow stripes. Tiger Salamanders can grow six to eight inches in length. In the wild, they spend much of their time burrowed in the soil to maintain their moist skin. They are voracious predators on worms, insects, frogs, and other salamanders. Like all amphibians, they lay eggs in water and have aquatic larva.

Salamander is called "Tsilghááh" in the Navajo language. Salamander is considered very sacred by traditional Navajo People, but also is considered dangerous and an animal that should not be handled, eaten or killed. Along with frogs and toads, salamander is said to be the controller of moisture on earth.