A salamander is an amphibian. Amphibians are a class of cold-blooded vertebrates that include frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders. They are characterized by their ability to live both in water and on land, although they typically require a moist environment to survive.
Salamanders are often mistaken for reptiles due to their similar appearance, but they differ in several key ways. Unlike reptiles, salamanders have smooth, moist skin without scales, and they undergo a metamorphosis from a larval stage with gills to an adult stage with lungs. Reptiles, on the other hand, have scaly skin and do not undergo such a transformation.
Fish, which are also cold-blooded vertebrates, live exclusively in water and breathe through gills throughout their lives. Salamanders, being amphibians, have a more complex life cycle that includes both aquatic and terrestrial phases.
In summary, salamanders are amphibians, not fish or reptiles. They share some characteristics with both but are distinctly different in their life cycle and habitat requirements.