Lesser Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps minor
The smallest species in this genus, this salamander only reaches 2.5-3.3 cm in snout to vent length. It has a flattened head, skinny legs, a dorsal groove and costal groo…
How to identify
The smallest species in this genus, this salamander only reaches 2.5-3.3 cm in snout to vent length. It has a flattened head, skinny legs, a dorsal groove and costal grooves. It usually has a brown dorsal stripe, and light flecks of white on its sides.
Range
Small area in the coastal mountains of San Luis Obispo County, California.
Habitat
This species is found in moist forest habitats at higher elevations. They live on shady slopes with lots of canopy cover, ground vegetation, and deep leaf litter.
Variations
Can be primarily grey to black with no dorsal stripe.
Similar species
Shares many attributes with other slender salamanders, including the black-bellied slender salamander (*Batrachoseps nigriventris*), California slender salamander (*Batrachoseps nigriventris*), and 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
minor
Latin for lesser.
Origin
Sources
- Jockusch, Yanev and Wake, 2001. Herp. Monogr. 15., p. ___
Batrachoseps minor. Jockusch, Yanev and Wake, 2001 - Herp. Monogr. 15., p. ___
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Small area in the coastal mountains of San Luis Obispo County, California.
Habitat
This species is found in moist forest habitats at higher elevations. They live on shady slopes with lots of canopy cover, gro…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap