California Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma californiense
Chocolate brown body with light yellow or cream spots of variable size. Grows to a length of 7-8 inches. Snout is very round with bulging eyes situated on top of the head…
How to identify
Chocolate brown body with light yellow or cream spots of variable size. Grows to a length of 7-8 inches. Snout is very round with bulging eyes situated on top of the head. Tail is often compressed from the sides, retaining its larval fin-like shape.
Range
Endemic to west-central California in many isolated patches of area.
Habitat
Adults live mostly underground in burrows dug by other animals. They rely on large vernal pools for reproduction, so are only found near these bodies of water. When not breeding, they will travel further away from these pools and can be found at elevations up to 3,200 feet.
Variations
Some are more densely spotted, while others have few yellow spots.
Similar species
Very similar to the western tiger salamander (*Ambystoma mavortium*) which is larger and found throughout the central and northwestern United States into southern Canada. The eastern tiger salamander (*Ambystoma tigrinum*) has grey instead of brown coloration compared to the California tiger salamander, and is only found in the eastern United States.
Name and etymology
Californiense: Belonging to California.
At a glance
Range
Endemic to west-central California in many isolated patches of area.
Habitat
Adults live mostly underground in burrows dug by other animals. They rely on large vernal pools for reproduction, so are only…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap