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Western Red-backed Salamander - Plethodon vehiculum

Characteristics
Range
Habitat
Diet
Life Cycle
Behavior

 Classification

 Phylum:
Chordata
 Class: Amphibia
 Order: Caudata 
 Family: Plethodontidae  
 Genus: Plethodon



ICUN Redlist - World Status: Least Concern Least Concern  
  Characteristics
Western red-backed salamanderThe western red-backed salamander has dark sides and a red, yellow. green or tan stripe down its back. It is three to four inches in length and has 16 coastal grooves (vertical grooves.)

  Range
mapThe western red-backed salamander can be found from British Columbia south to southern Oregon.
 
  Habitat
The western red-backed salamander can be found under rocks and fallen wood, along stream banks and in shady forests.

  Diet

Larvae eat snails, Pacific Tree Frogs, and Red-legged Frog tadpoles.

  Life Cycle
The western red-backed salamander mates from November to December. The female lays a clutch of about 10 eggs from April to May. Unlike most salamanders, the western red-backed salamander larvae hatch fully formed as salamanders. The hatchlings appear in the fall,. They will mature in 2 1/2 years. Females lay eggs every other year.

  Behavior

The western red-backed salamander lives and breeds entirely on land. It is nocturnal.

 


 


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