Animals With Smooth Skin(Pictures Included)

Humans constantly strive for smooth and flawless skin, and the skincare industry caters to this desire with countless products. However, it may surprise you to learn that some animals possess naturally smooth skin, making us envious of their innate beauty.

Among the creatures that boast smooth skin are blue poison dart frogs, fire salamanders, axolotls, arboreal houses, and many others. Yet, smooth skin isn’t merely an aesthetic attribute; for these animals, it serves as a vital defence mechanism enabling them to evade predators and thrive in their natural habitats.

Intrigued by the prevalence of smooth-skinned creatures and curious about the texture of their outer layers, you may wonder how many animals possess such skin and just how soft it is. This blog post aims to satisfy your curiosity by providing a comprehensive list of animals blessed with smooth skin.

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of animals with impeccably smooth skin!

List of Animals With Smooth Skin

The Blue Poison Dart Frogs

Scientific Name: Dendrobates tinctorius azureus
Type of Animal: Amphibian

The blue poison dart frog has emerged as a captivating and remarkable discovery in the realm of frogs. Its striking blue-hued skin immediately captures attention and adds to its allure. Found exclusively in select regions of the forests in Northern Brazil and Suriname, this frog species is truly a rarity.

One notable feature of the blue poison dart frog is its exceptionally smooth skin, which serves multiple purposes in its survival. This smoothness aids the frog in swimming skillfully and evading potential predators. The aquatic nature of its habitat contributes to the development of such smooth skin.

However, exercise extreme caution when encountering this frog. Its skin carries a potent poison that serves as a defence mechanism against smaller predators or can induce severe paralysis in larger ones. Touching its skin is strongly discouraged due to the danger posed by its toxic properties.

Active primarily during daylight hours, the blue poison dart frog exhibits diurnal behaviour. To catch a glimpse of these fascinating creatures amidst the Brazilian or Suriname forests, exploring the vicinity of the forest’s streams is recommended. These unique frog species often find refuge in mosses and beneath rocks, adding to their distinctive ecological niche.

Spanish Ribbed Newts

Scientific Name: Pleurodeles waltl
Type of Animal: Amphibian

Newts hold a special place in the hearts of amphibian enthusiasts. Visit any amphibian zoo, and you’ll soon discover that newts take centre stage as the star attractions.

While newts are generally small creatures, the Spanish ribbed newt stands out for its relatively large size, boasting a sturdy build and measuring around 12 inches in length. Sporting a greyish-brown colouration, their skin exhibits captivating hints of green and yellow, with occasional instances of black hues, attributed to genetic variations.

The skin of Spanish ribbed newts is astonishingly smooth, although it’s advisable to avoid direct contact. Similar to many other amphibians, these newts are equipped with a poisonous defence mechanism. Their potent venom has the ability to immobilize or even prove fatal to most predators.

In addition to their swimming prowess, Spanish ribbed newts rely on their skin as a protective shield. When sensing danger, they swiftly and effortlessly contract their bodies, causing their ribs to protrude through their skin. This unique defence tactic would not have been possible if their skin had been tough and rigid.

Tomato Frogs

Scientific Name: Dyscophus
Type of Animal: Amphibian

Madagascar is a captivating haven with an abundance of wildlife and lush vegetation. Its consistent rainfall ensures a delightful level of humidity in the air, contributing to its remarkable climate. As a result, the country has become a premier destination for tourists worldwide, drawn by the allure of its exotic fauna. Among the unique creatures that inhabit this land, the Tomato Frog stands out.

Despite its vibrant skin colouration and notably gentle temperament, it is the smoothness of the Tomato Frog’s skin that garners particular attention. This smooth skin serves a crucial purpose in the frog’s life as it burrows underground, seeking refuge from predators and quenching its thirst. The supple texture of its skin facilitates efficient water absorption, surpassing that of amphibians with coarser skin.

Furthermore, Tomato frogs make fantastic pets, especially for those new to caring for amphibians. Their adaptability and relatively straightforward care requirements make them an ideal choice for inexperienced enthusiasts.

Fire Salamanders

Scientific Name: Salamandra salamandra
Type of Animal: Amphibian

The fire salamander is a truly remarkable creature. Its bright colours and unique markings make it one of the most strikingly beautiful salamanders around. But what really sets it apart is the story behind its name. Legend has it that the fire salamander was born out of fire itself, which is why it has such a fiery reputation.

This incredible creature is not only known for its toxicity but also for its moist and smooth skin. It’s no wonder that the fire salamander is the most common salamander in all of Europe. If you venture out into the tropical areas of Europe, you might even find one of these amazing creatures hiding under a log of wood. So keep your eyes peeled, because spotting a fire salamander is a truly enchanting sight. 

Red-eyed Tree Frogs

Scientific Name: Agalychnis callidryas
Type of Animal: Amphibian

The red-eyed tree frog is truly a remarkable amphibian, known for its ability to survive independently in the wild for up to five years. One of its most captivating attributes is its impeccably smooth skin, which ranks among the softest in the animal kingdom. This velvety texture enables the red-eyed frog to effortlessly adhere to the undersides of leaves using its webbed feet.

However, what truly captures attention are its vibrant red eyes, which protrude prominently. Many wildlife experts and scientists speculate that these distinct eye colours and structures serve as a visual warning to potential predators.

When startled or threatened, these frogs swiftly reveal their webbed feet and display their bulging eyes as a defence mechanism. While some may launch an attack, others seize this opportunity to make a hasty retreat, utilizing their startling appearance as a means of escape.

Arboreal Thorius

Scientific Name: Thorius arboreus
Type of Animal: Amphibian

The Arboreal Thorius and Sierra Juarez hidden salamander share a similar fate, being labelled as endangered species. Living in highly humid and foggy forests, these tiny creatures have to face an additional obstacle, the increasing agricultural practices that threaten their already vulnerable existence. The Arboreal Thorius, with its huge pair of eyes and long limbs, stands out for its smooth skin which allows it to thrive in its arboreal home.

Nature has given them unique features to make the best out of their habitat. Unfortunately, their distinctive characteristics- the very things that make them so special- are also the reasons they are at risk. If you long to see these salamanders alive, action must be taken to safeguard their homes and ensure they remain a part of the ecosystem for years to come.

Axolotls

Scientific Name: Ambystoma mexicanum
Type of Animal: Amphibian

The Axolotl, a remarkable creature, has captured the hearts of scientists worldwide. These unique beings are predominantly found in the canals of Mexico City. Sadly, their population is rapidly declining, pushing them closer to the brink of extinction. Today, it is rare to encounter them in their natural habitats, as many are bred and live their entire lives in captivity.

One of the main reasons why Axolotls are kept in domestic settings is their flawlessly smooth and moist skin. With a predominantly pale hue, their skin lacks prominent creases or bumps, earning them the reputation of having the smoothest skin known to science.

Adding to the sombre state of affairs, some Japanese restaurants have begun serving Axolotls as a culinary delicacy. Additionally, less ethical scientists exploit these remarkable creatures as test subjects in their quest to unravel the secrets behind their cancer-fighting immune systems and their astonishingly smooth skin.

Golden Poison Frogs

Scientific Name: Phyllobates terribilis
Type of Animal: Amphibian

Despite its attractive appearance and smooth skin, it is important not to be deceived by this frog. Regarded by many wildlife experts as one of the most venomous frogs worldwide, its toxicity is nothing to take lightly. In fact, National Geographic has reported that the amount of poison present in its skin is potent enough to kill ten fully grown men.

Originating from Colombia, the indigenous Embria people have harnessed the power of this poison for centuries, utilizing it to enhance the potency of their ammunition (quite a sting, indeed).

Among the diverse array of poison dart frogs, this particular species is noteworthy for its relatively larger size, measuring an average of approximately 2 inches in length. Contrary to its name, these frogs exhibit a range of colours including pale green, yellow, and orange.

The specific colouration of golden poison frogs is determined by their genetic makeup and serves as a defence mechanism against the particular predators they encounter. This phenomenon, known as aposematic colouration, allows them to signal their toxicity and discourage potential threats.

Sierra Juarez Hidden Salamanders

Scientific Name: Cryptotriton adelos
Type of Animal: Amphibian

The Sierra Juarez hidden salamander, a remarkable species, is exceptionally rare and can only be found in undisturbed cloud forests situated 2000 meters above sea level.

Unfortunately, this unique salamander faces the threat of becoming endangered within a few years, mainly due to the encroachment of human settlements, expanding agricultural activities, and other factors that disrupt its delicate habitat.

Among its distinguishing characteristics, apart from its snout-vent length and long tail, is its strikingly smooth skin. This attribute is primarily attributed to the specific environmental conditions in which it resides.

In addition to their smooth skin, these amphibians showcase cream-coloured stripes along their upper surface. You can often spot them in close proximity to leaf litter and in the vicinity of epiphytic plants, where they seek shelter and sustenance.

Iranian Harlequin Newts

Scientific Name: Neurergus kaiseri
Type of Animal: Amphibian

The harlequin newts, predominantly found in Iran, are terrestrial creatures that spend most of their time on land throughout the year. If you explore dried-up Iranian streams and pools, it’s highly likely to encounter a multitude of these newts.

As the summer months bring soaring temperatures, the harlequin newts seek refuge in burrows to shield themselves from the heat. Their exceptionally smooth skin enables them to effortlessly glide in and out of these burrows, facilitating their estivation—a state of dormancy they enter during this period. Without this remarkable biological adaptation, many of them would perish annually.

The survival of these delicate creatures hangs in the balance, making their smooth and lustrous skin a vital tool for their preservation. Without proper care and conservation efforts, the risk of their extinction becomes imminent.

Final Words

Smooth skin is a coveted feature that many humans strive for, but Mother Nature has bestowed this characteristic upon a variety of animals. From amphibians to mammals, smooth skin can be found in thousands of different species. However, there are some animals that stand out among the rest and leave humans envious of their sleek and supple skin. The ten animals listed above are truly remarkable in their own way, from the luminescent smoothness of the Tarsier to the shimmering scales of the pangolin. It’s no wonder we find ourselves captivated by these creatures with their perfectly smooth skin that seems to glow in the sunlight.

Reference:

• https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1592775496/eton/ixauxwrycjh2yhy8qmgu/AnimalClassification1-6.pdf
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5lNbpkTh8s892Q2vBG4jkny/the-most-extraordinary-skin-on-the-planet 
• https://www.pbs.org/video/skin-animal-skin-5vjxi4/