Oregon Slender Salamander

Batrachoseps wrighti

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

A thin-bodied salamander with a long, round tail and scrawny legs. It averages 3.5-4.5 inches in total length and has obvious costal grooves. It has a small, narrow head…

Oregon Slender Salamander illustration

How to identify

A thin-bodied salamander with a long, round tail and scrawny legs. It averages 3.5-4.5 inches in total length and has obvious costal grooves. It has a small, narrow head with an angular snout. It typically has a blotchy red or reddish brown dorsal stripe, and dark grey to black sides with white speckling that extends onto the dark ventrum.

Range

Narrow range in the Cascade Mountains of north central Oregon.

Habitat

This species is most often found in old-growth fir, maple, and cedar forests with closed canopies on western slopes of the Cascade range. It likes to hide in rotting logs, and will also live on talus slopes.

Variations

Some lack the reddish dorsal stripe and are dark all over.

Similar species

Most similar to the western red-backed salamander (*Plethodon vehiculum*).

Name and etymology

Wrighti: Honoring Albert H. Wright and Margaret R. Wright

More illustrations

Oregon Slender Salamander

At a glance

Range

Narrow range in the Cascade Mountains of north central Oregon.

Habitat

This species is most often found in old-growth fir, maple, and cedar forests with closed canopies on western slopes of the Ca…

Guide

Reptiles and Amphibians of North America

Range map

Range map for Oregon Slender Salamander

Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Sources & further reading