Northwestern Salamander

Where they live

• View a map of where they live.
• The Northwestern salamander is restricted to the Pacific coast of North America. In Washington State they are found west of the cascades, including Whidbey, Bainbridge and Vashon islands.
• Found in a variety of moist habitats including open grasslands, woodlands and forests near freshwater sources.
• Spend most of their time underground or under rotting logs.

Breeding

• Breeding season is Feb-April. In the high elevations of the Cascades, breeding frequently starts in late spring, from June to August.
• Eggs masses are attached to underwater plants and grasses and are hard to the touch.
• Egg masses accumulate algae that grow on the inside of the eggs, giving them a green color.
• Larvae mature in 12-14 months. In higher elevations, the larvae often overwinter twice and will mature over three seasons.
• Neotonic adults are common and the frequency of occurrence increases with elevation levels.

Cool Biology Facts

• Larvae and terrestrial adults are mildly poisonous, because of this they can generally survive alongside predatory species, even introduced fish and species such as bullfrogs.
• When disturbed, make a ticking sound and get into a defensive posture.
• They butt heads and raise tails while emitting a sticky white poison from glands behind eyes and along back and tail when threatened and lash tails to spread the poison.

Threats

• Main threats are habitat destruction and deforestation. View their status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.