This list of mythical creatures that begin with this letter and I am constantly gathering information from each continent, and is continually being updated.
Salamander (Alchemy)
The salamander is an amphibian of the order Urodela which, as with many real creatures, often has been ascribed fantastic and sometimes occult qualities by pre-modern authors not possessed by the real organism. The legendary salamander is often depicted as a typical salamander in shape with a lizard-like form, but is usually ascribed an affinity with fire, sometimes specifically elemental fire.
In one of the earliest surviving descriptions of a salamander is "an animal like a lizard in shape and with a body specked all over; it never comes out except during heavy showers and goes away the moment the weather becomes clear." All of these traits, even down to the star-like markings, are consistent with the golden Alpine salamander of Europe that has golden or yellow spots or blotches on its back.