The Family Plethodontidae, also known as lungless salamanders, is the largest family of salamanders, found primarily in the Americas, with some species in Europe and Korea. Members of this family lack lungs and breathe entirely through their skin and the lining of the mouth, requiring moist habitats. They exhibit a wide range of sizes and colors and are often highly terrestrial, though some are aquatic. Many Plethodontids show direct development, meaning their eggs hatch into miniature adults without a free-living larval stage. They are ecologically important as predators of small invertebrates and serve as indicators of environmental health due to their sensitivity to habitat changes.