 Mature adults of some salamander species have " nuptial " glandular tissue in their cloacae , at the base of their tails , on their heads or under their chins . Some females release chemical substances , possibly from the ventral cloacal gland , to attract males , but males do not seem to use pheromones for this purpose . In some <unk> , males have conspicuous mental glands on the chin which are pressed against the females ' nostrils during the courtship ritual . They may function to speed up the mating process , reducing the risk of its being disrupted by a predator or rival male . The gland at the base of the tail in Plethodon cinereus is used to mark fecal pellets to proclaim territorial ownership . 
