Olympic Torrent Salamander
Rhyacotriton olympicus
A stout salamander with a flat head, sturdy legs, and a laterally compressed tail. It averages 10 cm in total length, with a tail shorter than its body. Its dorsum is oli…
How to identify
A stout salamander with a flat head, sturdy legs, and a laterally compressed tail. It averages 10 cm in total length, with a tail shorter than its body. Its dorsum is olive brown with tiny light speckles on its sides and muted dark spots on its tail. Its ventrum is yellow with dark spots.
Range
Endemic to the northern and central coasts of Washington.
Habitat
This species lives around cold mountain streams or springs with clear running water in forested habitats. It is often found amongst gravel at the water's edge, or in waterfall spray zones. It will travel further from water when conditions are wet enough from rain.
Variations
Males have enlarged lobes on the ventral base of the tail, posterior to the cloaca. Some individuals have more prevalent light speckles that extend onto their back, and others are very dark brown with minimal speckling.
Similar species
Most likely to be misidentified as the southern torrent salamander (*Rhyacotriton variegatus*), Cascade torrent salamander (*Rhyacotriton cascadae*), or Columbia torrent salamander (*Rhyacotriton kezeri*), all of which are found further south.
Name and etymology
Olympicus: Of the Olympic Mountains.
At a glance
Size
94 to 97 mm
Range
Endemic to the northern and central coasts of Washington.
Habitat
This species lives around cold mountain streams or springs with clear running water in forested habitats. It is often found a…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap