SALAMANDERS
(Aquatalis natator)
A water-residing variant of true Lizards, adapted to survive the harsh rain climate by retaining the aquatic features of its ancestor. These creatures may look like they’re in a different order, but they are classified under the same order as other lizards due to their similar habitats, diets and body form, save for the head shape - likely to have better hydrodynamics when swimming through the water. They also possess large external gills on both lateral sides of their head to have the ability to breathe both underwater. Their sight and hearing is also enhanced while submerged, but is significantly worse out of water. They swirl their tails through the water to propel themselves through water, unlike true Lizards, whom use their arms and legs to paddle through the water (if they are even found in water - most Lizards tend to avoid it). These aquatic lizards have shorter, more even teeth to be more precise in tearing the flesh of smaller creatures in the water. Salamanders hunt their prey by laying motionless in a large pool of water, waiting for something to approach, then spring into action once a creature they prey on enters the water.
Salamanders have the same amount of visual variety as a true Lizard, while also occasionally varying in body color - some Salamanders have white bodies, and others have dark magenta bodies. This mutation is frequent enough that it is considered a different breed, though neither seem to be more beneficial than the other as they are both found in equal numbers.
