Reacts lightning fast from 10°C
Found mostly in Northwest Africa or South and middle Europe to West Asia, the Fire Salamander (Salamandra Salamandra) was described by the Swedish naturalist Carl von Linné for the first time in 1758. Then, "process stability" and "process control" were two unknown terms. However the Fire Salamander, had long since perfected the temperature control crucial to its survival mastering perfectly what we now know as process control to maintain optimum response capability.
In Germany they are found mostly in deciduous and mixed forest with streams or other small trickles of water. The forest floor must have moist earth in which rich layers of ferns and moss grow, be rich in dead wood, have stones to hide beneath, small caves and deserted animal nests.
The optimum conditions for the Fire Salamander are about 10°C with high humidity of up to 90 percent with no wind, in other words, "Salamander weather". Under these ideal conditions, the Fire Salamander has optimum response capability and can react with lighting speed in emergencies.
Occasionally in the winter months on still warm days, Fire Salamanders can be found. Able to withstand light frost and temperatures of -5°C for short periods without harm but a covering of snow stops all activity.
During the cold months from November to March, the Fire Salamander goes into winter hibernation. Vital functions and metabolism are reduced to the lowest possible level. For hibernation it searches for a place beneath the ground or in a compost heap where the humidity is high enough and the temperature does not fall below zero Centigrade. During hibernation it does not move and takes no nourishment.
When the snow melts and other factors such as daylight hours, air movement and humidity are sufficient, the Salamander becomes active again.