Clouded Salamander
Aneides ferreus
A generally dark colored salamander with lighter speckling or clouded accents. It grows to a length of about 5 inches and has 16 costal grooves as well as naso-labial gro…
How to identify
A generally dark colored salamander with lighter speckling or clouded accents. It grows to a length of about 5 inches and has 16 costal grooves as well as naso-labial grooves. Its legs are relatively long and thin with square-ended toes, and it has a prehensile tail.
Range
Western Oregon and slightly into northwestern California.
Habitat
Likes to hide under ground debris, inside rotting logs, or in rock crevices in forested regions with few trees. Commonly found in rotting Douglas fir logs and areas with recently cleared trees. Lives in a temperate zone up to 5600 feet in elevation. Many are known to nest in trees.
Variations
Background color ranges from medium-gray to coffee brown or black. Accent speckling can be dense or sparse and is usually brass color but can also be reddish or olive green. Juveniles have a brassy streak down their backs.
Similar species
Most likely to be misidentified as a long-toed salamander (*Ambystoma macrodactylum*) which shares its range.
Name and etymology
Ferreus: Latin for iron, referencing color of clouded phase.
At a glance
Range
Western Oregon and slightly into northwestern California.
Habitat
Likes to hide under ground debris, inside rotting logs, or in rock crevices in forested regions with few trees. Commonly foun…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap