California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps attenuatus
Noticeably thin with a slender head, small limbs, and a long tail; exhibits both coastal and caudal grooves. Appearance can be compared to that of a worm. Dorsum color is…
How to identify
Noticeably thin with a slender head, small limbs, and a long tail; exhibits both coastal and caudal grooves. Appearance can be compared to that of a worm. Dorsum color is usually black with a stripe along back that is either yellow, brown, red, or tan. Black venter with white flecks. In late fall or winter, females lay clutches containing 4 to 21 eggs. In winter or spring, the eggs hatch.
Range
Extreme coastal southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.
Habitat
Primarily found in grasslands that contain forests or scattered trees. Can also inhabit urban yards and marshes. Prefer to stay in moist areas on the ground under rocks, logs, and other natural debris. During dry weather will stay underground in burrows including those of rodents.
Variations
Certain female members of populations have been seen laying eggs together in shared nests. Females do not generally stay with the eggs until they are hatched.
Similar species
Hell Hollow Slender Salamander - Batrachoseps diabolicus Gregarious Slender Salamander - Batrachoseps gregarius Gabilan Mountains Slender Salamander - Batrachoseps gavilanensis
Name and etymology
Genus
Batrachoseps
Greek for amphibian (batrachos) lizard (seps).
Origin
Sources
- Bonaparte, 1841. Iconogr. Fauna Italica, Vol. 2, Fasc. 26, fol. 131, not paged
Batrachoseps. Bonaparte, 1841 - Iconogr. Fauna Italica, Vol. 2, Fasc. 26, fol. 131, not paged
Species epithet
attenuatus
Latin for slender.
Origin
Sources
- (Eschscholtz, 1833). Zool. Atlas, Pt. 5, p. 1, pl. 21, figs. 1-14
Batrachoseps attenuatus. (Eschscholtz, 1833) - Zool. Atlas, Pt. 5, p. 1, pl. 21, figs. 1-14
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Extreme coastal southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.
Habitat
Primarily found in grasslands that contain forests or scattered trees. Can also inhabit urban yards and marshes. Prefer to st…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap