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ABSTRACT
Two populations of Salamandra salamandra (L.) larvae from Galilee were studied: a cannibalistic population from Hammama Spring, and a non-cannibalistic population from Tel Dan. The cannibalistic larvae grew faster than the non-cannibalistic ones. The habitat at Tel Dan contained an ample supply of food (invertebrates) for the larvae. A shortage of food in the Hammama Spring population, while not affecting the rate of growth, caused an increase in cannibalism. Five large cannibalistic larvae consumed 116 small larvae during the three months required to complete metamorphosis. There was no incidence of cannibalism among large larvae of roughly equal size. The phenomenon of cannibalism as an aspect of adaptation to different habitats is discussed.