Hell Hollow Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps diabolicus
An adult hell hollow slender salamander is about 3.2-4.7 cm long from the snout to the vent. It is a slim species with a broad head, a slightly defined neck, really short…
How to identify
An adult hell hollow slender salamander is about 3.2-4.7 cm long from the snout to the vent. It is a slim species with a broad head, a slightly defined neck, really short limbs, a slender body, and a really long tail. It has conspicuous costal and caudal grooves that gives it a worm-like appearance. It also has 4 long and distinct fingers and toes with a grey ventral surface and a dark dorsum, having a brownish stripe that is bright at the edges and pale speckling all over the body.
Range
The hell hollow slender Salamander can only be found at the foothills of the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California, spanning from the north bank of the north fork of the American river, Placer county, to the lower Merced river canyon, Mariposa county
Habitat
They dwell along riparian zones very close to large rivers and streams in pine-oak woodland and chaparral communities. They also dwell in North-facing slopes, beneath rock talus and large stones. They are always active on rainy or wet nights when the temperature is moderate but they hibernate underground when the soil dries up or the temperature is cold. They feed on small invertebrates, using a projectile tongue to capture their prey while they stay still and wait. Females lay eggs on land in the rainy season, from November to January.
Similar species
The California slender salamander (batrachoseps attenuates) has a narrow head and body, with an average length if 7-13 cm. The San Gabriela slender Salamander (batrachoseps gabrieli) has a black dorsum with white, coppery and orange blotches. it has an average adult length of 3-5 cm. The Gabilans Mountain slender Salamander (batrachoseps gavilanensis) could have a full body of 16.5 cm. it a grey body with white speckling on the body and a brownish dorsal stripe, bordered with black dots.
Name and etymology
Diabolicus: Greek for devilish.
At a glance
Range
The hell hollow slender Salamander can only be found at the foothills of the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in Californi…
Habitat
They dwell along riparian zones very close to large rivers and streams in pine-oak woodland and chaparral communities. They a…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap