Lanza's alpine salamander

Completely black, this salamander lives only in the Haut Guil and around Mont Viso. It prefers wetlands and travels at very slow pace in the morning when ambient humidity is at its highest. Adapted to the harsh climate and with limited activity, it has the unique characteristic of developing its larvae in utero over a 4-year period. Its low numbers and the fragility of its habitat make this salamander an endangered and protected species.