Inyo Mountains Salamander
Batrachoseps campi
A slender salamander with scrawny legs that averages 4-5 cm in snout to vent length. It has a very short snout and large bulging eyes. It has a dorsal groove down the cen…
How to identify
A slender salamander with scrawny legs that averages 4-5 cm in snout to vent length. It has a very short snout and large bulging eyes. It has a dorsal groove down the center of its back, and its tail is about the same length as its body. It is dark in color and may have speckled white cloudy patches.
Range
Very tiny range in the Inyo Mountains of eastern California.
Habitat
This species is found in riparian mountainous habitats, most often in wet, rocky areas under dense ground vegetation with little sun penetration. They will hide beneath rocks and moist debris, or in rock crevices.
Variations
Some have no white patterning, while others are completely covered with fine white speckling (like spray paint).
Similar species
Most akin to the Kern Plateau slender salamander (*Batrachoseps robustus*). It is similar in morphology to other slender salamanders, but it lacks a dorsal stripe which is common in other members of the genus. For example, the California slender salamander (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*), gregarious slender salamander (*Batrachoseps gregarius*), black-bellied slender salamander (*Batrachoseps nigriventris*), and Gabilan Mountains slender salamander (*Batrachoseps gavilanensis*).
Name and etymology
Campi: Honoring Charles L. Camp.
At a glance
Size
3.4 to 10.8 cm
Range
Very tiny range in the Inyo Mountains of eastern California.
Habitat
This species is found in riparian mountainous habitats, most often in wet, rocky areas under dense ground vegetation with lit…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap