Building Clay Model Salamanders from 3-D printed model

This guide explains how to make Claymanders, which are clay salamander replicas used in predation studies. The process starts with a 3D-printed master model, uses that model to make a silicone mold, and then casts oil-based clay copies from the mold. A red stripe is added at the end of the process to mimic the striped color morph of Plethodon cinereus. The method is designed to work in a lab with basic equipment and access to a resin 3d printer and produces consistent clay models to use in predation studies.