Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This tiger salamander larva is starting to lose its gills and go through metamorphosis. Over the past few days the gills have gotten smaller and lost most of the blood-rich frills that used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide underwater.
Today it was resting with its nostrils just above the water and breathing air - soon the gills will be completely gone and it will leave the water and begin life on land.
This tiger salamander larva is starting to lose its gills and go through metamorphosis. Over the past few days the gills have gotten smaller and lost most of the blood-rich frills that used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide underwater.
Today it was resting with its nostrils just above the water and breathing air - soon the gills will be completely gone and it will leave the water and begin life on land.
