A "salamander" is a type of amphibian belonging to the order Caudata. These creatures are characterized by their smooth, moist skin and elongated bodies, typically having four limbs and a tail. Salamanders can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from forests to wetlands, and they often thrive in damp environments. Their lifecycle includes a stage where they live in water as larvae, breathing through gills before transitioning to a more terrestrial adult form, relying on lungs and skin for respiration.