Between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago, the salamander was probably common and widespread across large parts of Western Norway. Today, it is extremely rare both here in Norway and in the rest of Europe. The reason for this is that newts and fish cannot coexist. The ponds in the Salamander Park do not provide suitable spawning grounds for fish, and this is why the newt can still be found here.
The Salamander Park is not as tidy as other parks. That’s how it should and must be! The salamander spends much of its time on land. It comes ashore in the evening and at night to find food, but for much of the year the animals hibernate under a tree root or inside a pile of stones. If you see a salamander on land, leave it in peace. Although they are poisonous, they are extremely vulnerable on land. The easiest way to spot a salamander is to walk quietly towards a pond and look down at the bottom. Salamanders are easily startled in the water, and when they are, they are quick to hide in the mud or under a branch.
