 Some aquatic species , such as sirens and <unk> , have reduced or absent hind limbs , giving them an eel @-@ like appearance , but in most species , the front and rear limbs are about the same length and project sidewards , barely raising the trunk off the ground . The feet are broad with short digits , usually four on the front feet and five on the rear . Salamanders do not have claws , and the shape of the foot varies according to the animal 's habitat . Climbing species have elongated , square @-@ tipped toes , while rock @-@ dwellers have larger feet with short , blunt toes . The tree @-@ climbing salamander ( Bolitoglossa sp . ) has plate @-@ like webbed feet which adhere to smooth surfaces by suction , while the rock @-@ climbing <unk> species from California have feet with fleshy webs and short digits and use their tails as an extra limb . When ascending , the tail props up the rear of the body , while one hind foot moves forward and then swings to the other side to provide support as the other hind foot advances . 
