See above for remarks on similarity to Montandon's Newt. Females lack the tail filament and have a narrower caudal fin and smaller spots on the body. Life cycle and diet are the same as Montandon's. Similar to Palmate Newt but males lack tail filament. Inhabits mainly small ponds but sometimes lakes within caves.
Males have low border on tail instead of dorsal crest.
The two species are characterised by wide heads, large eyes and five toes linked by webbing. The Cave Salamanders inhabit mountainous regions where they are found near caves or wet fissures. They are only found in cool, moist shady habitats and cannot tolerate high temperatures. Thanks to their webbed feet, prehensile tails and a sticky substance secreted from their epidermis they can scale vertical rock surfaces and also plants. These salamanders prey on arthopods and molluscs, catching them with their tongues in much the same way as a chameleon does, except that the tongue ends in a flattened adhesive disc.