Darjeeling Information

Darjeeling is the peaceful abode of a lot of endangered species on this earth. The same is true when it comes to salamanders, the rarest and the oldest specie of amphibian found on this earth. These oldest creatures are found extensively in the hills of Darjeeling. Scientifically known as Tylotrotriton verracocsus, nowadays it’s on the verge of total extinction from the face of the earth.  However, since 1964 at Jorepokhri, 19 km from Darjeeling, these creatures are living, although their population density is very low. This Himalayan Salamander is primitive and highly endangered species.

Salamanders found in the Himalayan region have rough skin, with a total measurement of 160 mm to 170mm in its adulthood. Restricted to the Eastern Himalayas mainly, these species thrive well in an elevation of 4000ft to 8000ft in the mountainous region.

Featured with a plethora of natural ponds and muddy marshlands Darjeeling is the ideal place for mating and breeding of Salamander. They lay eggs in the marshy land or ponds, which gradually develops into tadpoles. Initially they breathe through their gills like fishes and stay in the water till the lungs are not fully developed and functional. After the lungs developed fully, salamanders can have extensive area for food availability. To avoid cold weather in the Darjeeling Hills, they take shelter in the warmer places like crevices, tree roots, big boulders, during the months of late September to May. After the long hibernation in the winters, it starts coming out at the beginning of the monsoon season. During this season, they congregate in ponds for mating and breeding purpose. Aquatic vegetations, insects, smaller earthworms etc are their favorite foods.

In their adulthood, it loses its aquatic character like the gills, dorsal fins and continues breathing with lungs, strong legs, rough skin etc. The wart appears on their body surface are granular glands, which helps in producing an acrid fluid on stimulation. It acts as a deterrent to predators.

However, their natural habitat is on the way of extinction due to the clearing of forest and building up agricultural land and factories. However, some necessary measures have been adopted by the government to provide alternative habitat to the salamanders. Without natural habitat, the species will succumb totally and that will definite affect the balance of our ecosystem.

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