Little information is available on the biology of the Sardinian cave salamander (2). However, as in other cave salamander species, the Sardinian cave salamander does not have lungs, but instead absorbs oxygen through the skin, as well as the lining of the mouth and throat, which all have a rich blood supply (4) (7). As the skin needs to be moist at all times for oxygen absorption to occur, this species tends to emerge only in wet weather, typically at night, to breed or search for food (4).
The Sardinian cave salamander eats small invertebrates, including insects, which it catches by quickly flicking out its tongue (6). This species has brief periods of activity, followed by lengthy periods of inactivity, and therefore has low energy requirements. In general, cave salamanders do not need to feed very often, and are able to store a lot of what they eat as fat (4).
Very little is known about the breeding habits of the Sardinian cave salamander, but the male has been observed straddling its mate and clasping the female’s neck and sides with its legs. Fertilisation is internal (6), and the female Sardinian cave salamander lays and protects relatively few, large terrestrial eggs (7) (9).