Gopna Shekaran, Thomas P. Hughes School
Union County
Blue-spotted salamander. Gopna Shekaran
Blue-spotted Salamander
My species, the blue-spotted salamander is in big trouble. We have been disappearing slowly from our habitat. The only way we can survive is with your help.
The blue-spotted salamander is dark blue in color with light blue and white spots. We live in wooded areas and hide under rocks and leaves. We eat spiders, worms, mosquitoes, snails, slugs, centipedes, and beetles. Our species reproduce in water and the baby salamanders have gills and can only breathe under water.
Unfortunately, our population is decreasing because out habitat is getting destroyed. We don’t see as many wooded areas these days because the humans are cutting down trees to build houses, roads, and other fancy things. If this continues, we will be extinct. Because mosquitoes are one of our main foods, if we become extinct the mosquito population is going to increase and that’s not good for the humans and other species.
We need protection! Humans can help us by having more ponds around and also not cutting down trees. We are a beautiful species and it would be very sad to lose us from the face of the earth. We are trying out best to stay alive but we need your help too!
Written by: Gopna Shekaran
Thomas P. Hughes School
Berkeley Heights, NJ
Teacher: Mrs. Annie Citarelli