The sticky mucus on the end helps trap small insects or worms. Eye Salamanders, being largely nocturnal, have little need for visual acuity and thus have extremely poor eyesight. The tiny eyes can sense nearby movement, but cannot discriminate shapes or forms, and probably cannot distinguish colors either. Aquatic species which inhabit murky waters have particularly bad eyesight. In species which habitually live in total darkness, such as the Cave Salamanders, the eyes have virtually disappeared, and have become covered with skin to the point of being nonfunctional.
Salamanders rely on their extraordinary sense of smell to find prey.
While most salamanders and newts possess functional lungs as adults, a large number do not. The aquatic species, such as the Amphiuma or Mudpuppy, retain their gills throughout their lifespan, and never leave the water. Since the skin of salamanders and newts is thin and permeable, these animals are able to supplement their oxygen intake by diffusing air through their skin, and this method is the only one used during hibernation. The Plethodont family of terrestrial salamanders have lost their lungs completely, and breathe solely through their moist skin. Like all herps, salamanders must periodically shed their skin to grow.