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Striped Salamander Species in Washington

There are 13 species of salamanders in Washington that fall into two families: mole salamanders (Ambystomatidae) and lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae). Striped salamanders exist in both families. As their name suggests, the mole salamander likes to live beneath logs or forest debris or in the abandoned burrows of other wildlife. Six species of mole salamanders live in Washington. The lungless salamander's family name, Plethodontidae, refers to the species' peculiar teeth. Plethodontidae means "many teeth."

  1. Striped Mole Salamander

    • Striped salamanders that are found by turning over logs (at night with a flashlight) are very likely of the mole family. The long-toed salamander is very widespread in Washington's woodlands and forests. They are often beneath rotting debris such as logs, leaves, pines and other decomposing foliage. Mole salamanders are larger than lungless salamanders, but they are more difficult to spot because of thier shy or secretive natures. The dark-colored, long-toed salamander has a stripe that runs the length of its back and tail. It's usually more than 3 inches long and built stoutly.

    Striped Lungless Salamander

    • Adult members of the lungless salamander family do not have lungs but breath through their moist skin. Most of them are not aquatic and prefer land habitats. The Dunn's salamander, a lungless species, is found in the coastal regions from the southern tip of Washington to the northern tip of California. It is about 2 or 3 inches long and very slender. The color of its stripe is tan to green.

    Striped Salamanders with Unusual Distinctions

    • Striped salamanders with unusual distinctions make them easy to identify. The long-toed lungless salamander is identified by its long fourth toe on the rear legs. Another salamander with unusual distinction, also of the lungless family, is the western red-backed salamander. Its unusual distinction is the stripe that runs down its back. The color of the stripe varies noticeably from red to reddish brown. This is a very small salamander and unusually quick to run away when it is disturbed.

    Endangered Striped Salamanders

    • Washington's Van Dyke's salamander, one of the few endemic to the state, is at risk because of its limited distribution and small isolated population. It is a lungless salamander that is identified by its dorsal stripe, which appears to have drips running down the sides. The species usually lives in the northwest coast and western Cascades. There are also three isolated populations in the Olympic Peninsula, the Willapa Hills and the Cascade Range.

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