Kelly Rowell, age 10, of Dexter, Ore., for his question:

IS THE SALAMANDER POISONOUS?

The salamander is a timid animal that looks like a lizard but is actually related to the frogs and toads. Most are small creatures but a giant in Japan grows five feet long.

Salamanders are harmless. They eat grubs, slugs, worms and insects.

Best known is the spotted salamander of North America. It grows to be about six inches long and has yellow spots on its smooth, dark colored skin. The spotted salamander will secrete a milky fluid through its skin when it is roughly handled. This fluid is poisonous to some animals, and protects the salamander from some of its enemies. This protective device, however, is not enough to classify the animal as being poisonous.

Salamanders are cold‑blooded animals. Their bodies can replace lost parts, such as the tail and legs. They live in streams and ponds, 'on land or in caves.