There are a 17 salamanders in Oregon on this list. The number varies from one source to the other as some of the species are rare and their presence currently is uncertain.
Also, species that were previously thought to not be endemic to Oregon are being discovered. In all, there should be about 8 to 18 salamander species in the state. Here I have provided information on all the available salamander species in Oregon.
Salamanders may look like lizards but they aren’t. These creatures are amphibians. They generally have delicate skins and avoid humans.
Picking up a salamander can damage the skin, which is detrimental as many of them breath through their skin. If you do come across a salamander, it is best to observe from a distance.
Table of Contents
Salamanders in Oregon
1. Long-toed Salamander
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Binomial Name: Ambystoma macrodactylum
- Adult Length: 127 mm, (5 inches)
- Lifespan: 6 to 10 years
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S5 in Oregon
This amphibian is called ‘long-toed’ because of its long toes, specifically on its hind feet. This species is endemic to Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, California, Alberta, British Columbia, and Alaska. As you can tell, the geographic range spreads from Alaska down to California on the west coast of North America.
The species are terrestrial as adults and live in mixed forests and upland. They prefer to live in cool humid habitats. They also estivate in ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. As larvae, they live in small water bodies such as lagoons, streams, and ponds.
Adults of the species have smooth moist skins that are brown or black with a yellow stripe that runs longitudinally.
2. Western Tiger Salamander
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Binomial Name: Ambystoma mavortium
- Other Common Names: Barred Tiger Salamander, Blotched tiger salamander
- Average Adult Length: 6 to 14 inches (15 to 35.6 cm)
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List
The species is endemic to central and western North America. The species’ geographic range is from southern Canada to Puebla in Mexico.
A. mavortium is quite large and has olive blotches with black outlines. The underside is gray. A. mavortium is a large salamander with an average body length of 8 inches and an average weight of 126 grams or 4.4 oz. the species have broad flat heads, small eyes, and blunt noses. Their tails are long and thick.
The species is terrestrial and inhabits woodlands, coniferous forests, and bottomland deciduous forests. They can even be found in alpine meadows, open fields, and even bushy areas. Gravid females nest in ponds and slow-moving streams.
3. Eastern Tiger Salamander
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Binomial Name: Ambystoma tigrinum
- Other Common Name: Tiger salamander
- Average Adult Length: 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm)
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, S2 (Imperiled) in Oregon
This species of salamander can be found throughout North America from the eastern coastal states such as New York to Oregon in western North America.
The species is one of the larger salamanders in North America. This salamander is known as the tiger salamander because of the black and yellow coloration of the body.
The species is quite rare within Oregon. The species is terrestrial and can be found in marshy areas, grasslands, and forested areas. They burrow into the ground when humidity levels are low in an attempt to find more moisture. During the wet months, they hide under covers such as under logs.
4. Northwestern Salamander
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Binomial Name: Ambystoma gracile
- Lifespan: 5.5 to 8.7 inches (14 to 22 cm)
- Lifespan: 10.2 years in captivity
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S5 (Secure)
These large salamanders can reach a length of 10 inches. Their skins are brown smooth and moist. This species is known as the northwestern salamander because it is endemic to northwestern North America. From southeastern Alaska to northern California. In between those two, it can be found in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.
The species inhabits cool humid places including dense forests and grasslands. Here they can be found under covers such as debris, leaf litter, and rotting logs. This species of mole salamander and as such is underground most of the time.
These species breed in temporary ponds with no fish.
5. Coastal Giant Salamander
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Binomial Name: Dicamptodon tenebrosus
- Other Common Names: Pacific giant salamander, giant salamander
- Maximum Adult Length: 13.4 inches (34 cm)
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S4 (Apparently Secure)
The species is endemic to northwestern North America and can be found from southwestern British Columbia all the way to northwestern California. Other states it lives in include Washington and Oregon.
This species, like other salamanders, inhabits forested areas. It lives near streams and rivers. The streams it can be found along include those with beds composed of boulders and large gravel with little slit. The species live under covers such as forest litter including branches and leaves.
The species is considered one the largest terrestrial salamanders in the world and is considered to be the largest terrestrial salamander in Northwestern North America (Pacific Northwest).
The species are dark in coloration – brown to black – with light marblings and spottings.
6. Cope’s giant salamander
- Family: Ambystomatidae
- Binomial Name: Dicamptodon copei
- Average Adult Length: 5 to 7.5 inches (12 to 19 cm)
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S2 (Imperiled) in Oregon
According to NatureServe, the species can be found in northwestern Oregon and Washington. The geographic range states in Olympic Peninsula to northwestern Oregon The wild populations of the species exhibits limited gene flow and are isolated. Because of this, the species hold the status of Imperiled in Oregon.
The appearance of the species is interesting as it seems to mostly never transforms into the terrestrial stage and maintains its larvae form. As such adults usually look like the larval form of other species of the genus Dicamptodon. The species can be found in streams and ponds.
7. Columbia torrent salamander
- Family: Rhyacotritonidae
- Binomial Name: Rhyacotriton kezeri
- Maximum Adult Length: 4 inches (10 cm)
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Near Threatened on IUCN Red List, S3 (Vulnerable)
The geographic range of this species is quite limited. The species is endemic to the Coast Ranges of Oregon and Washington. Rhyacotriton kezeri is a species of torrent salamander. Evidence suggests that the species is more tolerant of the effects of timber harvest. These effects include the rise in water temperatures and sedimentation of water habitats.
The species inhabits freshwater springs, rivers, and temperate forested areas. It lives in the cold and clear streams and seeps of the montane regions.
The species is tin and dark in coloration with colors ranging from gray to brown to green/ the acks are yellow and the bellies are orange.
8. Ensatina
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Bionomial Name: Ensatina eschscholtzii
- Average Adult Length: 3 to 5 inches
- Other Common Names: Monterey Salamander
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S5 (Secure) in Oregon
The ensatina is a lungless salamander whose range includes British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, and California Baja California. As you can see, the geographic range of the species stretches from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific West. There are seven subspecies.
There are many stable wild populations and the ensatina has no major threats.
The ensatina has a short body and yellow limbs. In Oregon, the two subspecies available include the painted ensatina (E. e. picta) which have white, black, or yellow spots on the tail and back, and Oregon ensatina which is red, tan, brown, or orange.
The ensatina inhabits forested areas and woodlands. They usually hide under covers such as stumps, snags, logs, and bark piles.
Ensatinas are sometimes kept as pets. They are very sensitive to handling as they have thin skins that react negatively to the warm human hand.
9. Western Redback Salamander
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Binomial Name: Plethodon vehiculum
- Other Common Name: Western Red-backed Salamander
- Average Adult Length: 3 to 4.5 in (7.6 to 11.4 cm)
- Lifespan: 11.1 (high) years
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S5 (Secure) in Oregon
This species is limited to western Oregon. Outside of Oregon, the amphibian can be found in southwestern British Columbia to western Washington. The redback faces no major threat within Oregon and as such bears a NatureServe Status of Secure.
The species inhabit humid coniferous forests. Here the species can be found in leaf litter, under bark piles, and other covers of the forest floor. Similar to other salamanders within its geographic range, the species prefer cool to cold weather with temperatures between 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius) to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius).
The western redback is a moderately sized salamander that reaches a length of about 2 inches from snout to vent and about 4 inches in total body length. The species gets its name from the reddish-orange stripe on its back. This stripe isn’t always reddish although it mostly is.
10. Del Norte salamander
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Binomial Name: Plethodon elongatus
- Average Adult Length: 11 to 15 cm (4.3 to 5.9 in)
- Population Trend: Decreasing
- Conservation Statuses: Near Threaterned, S3 (Vulnerable) in Oregon
The species is endemic to southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. The species is generally found in protected areas (Klamath Mountains and Coast Range). The geographic range of the species is fairly tiny.
The Del Norte salamander is quite large and reaches a length of about 6 inches. The amphibian is generally black or dark brown. There may be a stripe pattern visible from the head to the tail. This stripe is hardly visible among adults as it disappears with age.
This salamander doesn’t have a larval stage and hatches fully metamorphosed.
The species is most common in Douglas-fir forests and redwood forests. They spend most of their time under forest litter such as barks and moss-covered rocks and in the crevices of rotting logs. These terrestrial salamanders are hardly ever found in seeps, streams, and other aquatic habitats.
11. Larch Mountain salamander
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Binomial Name: Plethodon larselli
- Average Adult Length: 4 inches
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Near Threathend, S2 (Imperiled)
The range of the species is tiny. There are found in Oregon and Washington. In Oregon, they hold a NatureServe Status of Imperiled. This means that the species is a species of concern (Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the West Cascades ecoregion). The habitat of P. larselli is fragmented and faces threats from timbering. Most of the wild population is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
P. larselli is a woodland salamander. This amphibian is lungless and breathes through its skin. P. larselli has a yellow, brown, or orange dorsal stripe. The ground color of P. larselli is brown. P. larselli has a pink underside.
This amphibian inhabits forested areas and can be found under bark and moss-covered rocks. they live in lava talus slopes in Douglas fir stands.
12. Oregon slender salamander
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Binomial Name: Batrachoseps wrightorum
- Average Adult Length: 4.7 inches (12 cm)
- Conservation Statuses: Vulnerable on IUCN Red List, S3 (Vulnerable) in Oregon
Batrachoseps wrightorum is endemic to jest Oregon. Here, its geographic range stretches from Columbia River Gorge and Hood River County to Lane County. Most of its wild population inhabits the western slopes of the Cascades. Other wild populations inhibit Hood River and Wasco counties.
This amphibian is reddish brown with dark sides. The body is long and slender. This characteristic gives the species its common name. The underside is black. The slender salamander has four toes on its hind limbs.
This salamander is terrestrial and lives in moist temperate forested areas such as red cedar woodlands, maple woodlands, and Douglas fir woodlands. They have also been found in suburbia.
13. California Slender Salamander
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Binomial Name: Batrachoseps attenuatus
- Average Adult Length: 1.77 to 5.43 inches (4.5 to 1.4 cm)
- Lifespan: 1 to 8 years
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S3 (Vulnerable) in Oregon
The California slender salamander has a limited geographic range which includes southwestern Oregon to central California. Although the species has a NatureServe Status of S3 (Vulnerable) in Oregon, the species is likely not in decline. It is found in diverse habitats and can thrive in less than pristine conditions.
The diverse habitats that the species inhabits include grasslands with isolated trees, old-growth forested areas, coastal scrublands, interior lie oak woodlands, coniferous forests, and chaparral. These amphibians prefer humid coastal regions. Here they burrow during dry months to maintain high humidity levels. During the wet months, they hide under rocks and logs.
The species’ physical appearance is similar to that of other slender salamanders. It is slender and worm-like. The salamander has short limbs with tiny toes. The dorsal part of the body is reddish brown and striped. These stripes fade with age.
14. Clouded salamander
- Family: Plethodontidae
- Binomial Name: Aneides ferreus
- Adult Length: 5 inches (13 cm)
- Population Trend: Decreasing
- Conservation Statuses: Near Threatened on IUCN Red List, S3S4 (Vulnerable) in Oregon
The clouded salamander can be found in northern California as well as western Oregon. The distribution of the species is patchy. A. ferreus can be found from the Columbia river in Oregon to the Siskiyou and Del Norte counties in California.
The species usually hide under rotting logs, backs, and in rock crevices in humid coniferous forests. These include Port Orford cedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, and redwood forests.
A. ferreus is long and slim. The legs are also long. This lungless salamander is brown with gray undersides. When young, the species have brassy patches on its brown skin. These patches fade with age.
15. Southern torrent salamander
- Family: Rhyacotritonidae
- Binomial Name: Rhyacotriton variegatus
- Average Adult Length: 1.6 to 2.4 inches (4.1 to 6.2 cm)
- Lifespan: less than 10 years
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S3(Vulnerable)
This torrent salamander can be found from Oregon to northern California. The range extends from south of Portland in Oregon to Santa Rosa in California.
This amphibian can be found in small cool clear streams and other smaller waterbodies. As with other salamanders, the waterbodies that the species inhabit must be characterized by low sedimentation. This ensures that the salamander has access to habitats with adequate oxygen levels. Larvae and adults in water bodies prefer shallow ends that are about just 15 cm / 6 inches deep. Here they can be found under stones.
The species is quite small with a range length of 1.6 to 2.4 inches. The salamander is greenish-brown to brown with a yellow underside. Some individuals have black specklings on both the underside and the dorsal regions.
These salamanders are not kept as pets.
16. Cascade torrent salamander
- Family: Rhyacotritonidae
- Binomial Name: Rhyacotriton cascadae
- Average Adult Length: 4 inches
- Population Trend: Decreasing
- Conservation Statuses: Near Threatened on IUCN Red List, S3 (Vulnerable)
This species can be found in western Oregon and Washington.
Similar to other species within its genus and other salamanders, the species need clear waterbodies. This ensures that the salamander has access to habitats with adequate oxygen levels as murky waterbodies have lower oxygen levels. Because of this, the species is negatively impacted by timbering which leads to sedimentation of the aquatic habitats.
The species can be found under covers. This includes rotting logs and rocks.
This species is tan with black spots and whitish fleckings. The underside is yellow and has spots.
17. Rough-skinned Newt
- Family: Salamandridae
- Binomial Name: Taricha granulosa
- Other Common Names: roughskin newt, Crater Lake newt, the Mazama newt
- Average Adult Length: 5 to 8.5 inches (13 to 21.6 cm )
- Population Trend: Stable
- Conservation Statuses: Least Concern on IUCN Red List, S5 (Secure)
This species can be found along the western coast of North America from Santa Cruz county in California to southeastern Alaska. It has a wide range which includes Oregon where it can be found in and around Crater Lake known as the Crater Lake newt or the Mazama newt.
The species have rough skin which gives it its common name. The skin is also dry, unlike most salamanders. The head is brown, the back is also brown, and the underside is orange.
The species is known to be highly toxic. The skin produces a powerful neurotoxin known as tetrodotoxin (TTX). this can lead to paralysis and death by asphyxiation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any Oregon salamanders poisonous?
There is one poisonous salamander in Oregon and this is the rough-skinned newt. This newt produces a powerful and fatal neurotoxin through the skin as well as eggs. This protects the salamander from predators.
This toxin is fatal when ingested. As such it is important to avoid the rough-skinned newt. If you happen to touch or handle this newt, make sure to properly and thoroughly wash your hands to avoid poisoning yourself.
Which newts can be found in Oregon?
Oregon newts include the rough-skinned newt. These newts can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest. Unlike other salamanders, the rough-skinned newt has rough dry skin. Most salamanders have smooth moist skins.
Are salamanders poisonous?
Salamanders are poisonous but nonvenomous and are generally not dangerous. They may bite you when approached. Salamanders are not venomous and as such won’t poison you when they bit. A few salamanders are known to be poisonous.
An example is a rough-skinned newt which is included here. Poisonous means that they secrete poisons or toxins. The rough-skinned newt is known to secrete toxins through the skin.
Can you find the long-toed salamander in Oregon?
The long-toed salamander can be found in Oregon as well as most of the Pacific Northwest. This includes Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, California, Alberta, British Columbia, and Alaska. This species is terrestrial as adults and in Oregon inhabits cool humid forested areas.
These amphibians are also kept as pets.
Can you find the tiger salamander in Oregon?
You can find both the western tiger salamander and the eastern tiger salamander in Oregon. The western tiger salamander is more common in the state. The eastern tiger salamander is more common in eastern North America. The tiger salamander is named after the appearance of its skin which slightly resembles the fur of a tiger.
Are salamanders in Oregon lizards?
No, salamanders aren’t lizards. A common misconception is that salamanders are lizards. Salamanders may resemble lizards but they aren’t lizards. Lizards are reptiles while salamanders are amphibians.
Do northwestern salamanders contain poison?
Yes, the skin of salamanders found in the northwestern secretes poison. Some of these such as the rough-skinned newts secrete powerful neurotoxins. These toxins are potent enough to be fatal.
Conclusion
While salamanders look like lizards (which are reptiles), they are in fact amphibians. These solitary creatures avoid humans and other animals larger than they are. They are known to hide under bark, rocks, leaf litter, and even in burrows underground.
They also have delicate skins that can be easily damaged when handled. As such they are best left alone. Even pet salamanders should be picked up only when absolutely necessary.
There are several salamanders in Oregon. This number ranges from anywhere between 8 to 18. The exact number of species can be tricky to determine as some species are rarely spotted.
Other nearby states