Strinati's lungless cave salamander (Hydromantes strinatii) female from a Italian site. These animals have astonishing parental cares and the female guards both eggs and hatchlings for well more than 9 months, even defending them against other predators. #amphibians #predatoridelmicrocosmo #herp #parentalcare #salamander #sallies #italy #herping #1frame4nature #1f4n #ilcp #conservation #endemic #strinatii #wildlife #nature #strangebutcool #strangebutgood #nikonphotography #tokina1017

A “urban” landscape for this little Strinati’s salamander (Hydromantes strinatii) during a humid morning into a water mill ruin. During such days these salamanders are also active during the day and they can be seen popping out of crevices in search of insects and mollusks to eat. This species can be locally abundant, but it’s nonetheless listed as Near Threatened (close to Vulnerable) by IUCN Red List for its limited and possibly declining range and habitat in North-Western Italy and South-Eastern France. This species is one of my preferred subjects when I’m home. They’re quite common there but also a furnace of never ending amazement. They have extensive brood care and the mother even cares for her newly hatched eggs and young. #amphibian #salamander #speleomantes #hydromantes #strinatii #urbanwildlife #laowa15mm #venusoptics @ilcp_photographers #1frame4nature #secretive #humid #mill #watermill #ruin #italy #wildlife