Del Norte Salamander
Plethodon elongatus
A mostly dark brown salamander that reaches 4-6 inches in total length. Younger individuals have a lighter brown wide stripe down the center of their entire body and tail…
How to identify
A mostly dark brown salamander that reaches 4-6 inches in total length. Younger individuals have a lighter brown wide stripe down the center of their entire body and tail, but this fades with age.
Range
Found on the pacific coast from southwestern Oregon through northwestern California.
Habitat
Fully terrestrial salamander which prefers moist rocky areas in redwood or Douglas fir forests. They are often found near moss-covered rocks or hiding in ground debris.
Variations
Some have light speckling on their sides.
Similar species
Could easily be confused with the western red-backed salamander (*Plethodon vehiculum*) which is found just north of the Del Norte's range. Also looks similar to the California slender salamander (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) which could overlap in range.
Name and etymology
Genus
Plethodon
Greek for full of (plethore) teeth (odon).
Origin
Sources
- Tschudi, "1838" 1839. reprinted in Classif. Batr., Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchatel, p. 92 ↗
Plethodon. Tschudi, "1838" 1839 - reprinted in Classif. Batr., Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Neuchatel, p. 92
Species epithet
elongatus
Latin for slender, elongated.
Origin
Sources
- Van Denburgh, 1916. Proc. California Acad. Sci., Ser. 4, Vol. 6, No. 7, p. 216 ↗
Plethodon elongatus. Van Denburgh, 1916 - Proc. California Acad. Sci., Ser. 4, Vol. 6, No. 7, p. 216
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Found on the pacific coast from southwestern Oregon through northwestern California.
Habitat
Fully terrestrial salamander which prefers moist rocky areas in redwood or Douglas fir forests. They are often found near mos…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap