[3] The salamanders' coloration has evolved over time, as some species are completely monochrome black and others have yellow spotting and marks.

[5] Biological pigmentation is determined by presentation of specific color-producing cells, called chromatophores, which absorb and/or reflect light in a particular way to then appear as a color.

Proposed colonization from south (Prealps) to Alps was carried out by the fully melanistic (derived feature) S. a. atra after the last retreat of the ice sheets.

[16] The alpine salamander is found from the France–Switzerland border at the western end of its range, all the way through Austria to the Dinaric Alps at the eastern edge of its territory.

[8] The western Alps (in France and Italy) are inhabited by a similar species, Lanza's alpine salamander (Salamandra lanzai), in only one small area[citation needed].

[21][16] Their range spans several nations, including: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hersegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, France, Italy, Austria.

[21][22] Coniferous forests that have high proportions of Norway spruce and European larch trees also provide adequate habitats, even though the salamanders live on the ground floor.

[21] Alpine salamanders are ectothermic, so losing a refuge or shelter could leave them exposed to the elements and be extremely costly, if not fatal,[21] due their lack of an internal thermoregulation mechanism.

This high dependency on a quality nest site supports the theory that many terrestrial salamanders, including S. atra, engage in territorial behaviors.

[21] Capture-recapture methods suggest that the species is very stationary;[23] 12 metres (39 ft) was the maximum observed distance traveled by one individual during the summer season.

[26] Other issues like acid rain or precipitation changes could prompt many animals, including alpine salamanders, to be forced into new habitats.

[27] There are already animal and ecosystem conservation laws in Europe, but many scholars recommend additional ones to protect the flora and fauna.

[12] Due to their toxicity,[10][11] as well as decreased concentration of animals at high altitudes,[28] researchers are unsure of consistent predators for alpine salamanders with limited observation.

[28] Generally, predators of the broad category of toxic Salamandra species can include birds, rats and snakes, as well as other, larger carnivorous mammals like raccoons, minks, wild boars and foxes.

[28] In particular, juvenile European adders (Vipera berus) pose a risk because they live at similarly high altitudes to alpine salamanders.

[29] Though alpine salamanders have definite dietary preferences, they have a substantial amount of variation in their diet[29] that corresponds to their own optimized physical needs and prey-catching abilities.

[31] Researchers are unsure if it is caused by territoriality, confusion on sexual identification and mistaken mating, or true combat.

[citation needed] Female alpine salamanders have uteruses that are composed of a single luminal epithelial cell layer, connective tissue, and smooth muscle.

[9] A portion of the mother's uterine wall becomes nourishment after the salamanders have already eaten the unfertilized eggs,[9] (called oophagy or stage 1 and 2).

[9] They then partake in epitheliophagy, or stage 3, where they ingest these zona trophica cells until birth, and have special tooth-like developments that allow it to do so without detriment to the mother.

[8] This means that they make these chemicals within their bodies, not as a result of ingesting poisonous substances.The starting material for this nerve-block is most likely cholesterol, and it is about twice as potent as cyanide.

[8] This pales in comparison to other toxins produced by salamanders, but S. atra do not only use this powerful substance to paralyze prey: they may have antimicrobial properties that protect them against bacterial and fungal infections.

[8][35] Salamandorone is another biochemical compound produced by S. atra, and though it is less potent against prey it is the strongest antimicrobial weapon these salamanders have.

[8] Nonetheless, the alpine salamander has been relatively lucky in avoiding infection with amphian chytrid fungus[35] compared to other amphibian species.

[35][36] This dangerous fungal infection, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has decimated amphibian populations on every continent.

[35] This may be because Bd infections are more common in species who spend more of their time in water, and since the alpine salamanders are terrestrial, they are less susceptible.