| Species | Ensatina eschscholtzii Gray, 1850 |
| Family | Plethodontidae (Lungless Salamanders) |
| Status | None |
| State Rank | S5 |
| Global Rank | G5 |
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A small, brown or orangish salamander with large dark eyes, and relatively short body and legs. Adults are 6.2 –7.6 cm (1 1/2 - 3 in.) total length. The tail is rounded in cross section and a prominent constriction exists at the base near the body. There are 12-13 costal grooves. Juveniles are dark brown with bright orange patches on the tops of the limbs near the body. Young juveniles have a silvery metal-flake pattern on a dark background on the body, but lose this pattern rapidly as they increase in size. Males have an enlarged upper lip and long, slender tails. Females have short, stout tails.
The female typically tends the eggs until the young hatch and are able to disperse. Nests have been found in rodent burrows, in decaying logs, and under slabs of wood or bark. Females sometimes lay eggs in crevices of downed logs under cover of thick moss. Clutches are typically 5-16 eggs in the Northwest. No free-living larval period exists; eggs hatch into fully formed miniature versions of the adults. See Photos Page.
Ensatina is the only Washington salamander with a constriction at the base of the tail. The tailbase constriction is difficult to see in young juveniles, but these individuals consistently possess the bright orange patches on top of the limbs near the body. See Key Features Page.
This species has not been well studied in Washington. Studies from other states have found they are surface active at night when the ground is saturated with water and temperatures are moderate, primarily in the fall, winter and spring. Based on the presence of sperm caps in the females and spermatozoa in the sperm ducts of males, breeding takes place from the time they emerge in the fall to the time they retreat below the surface in the spring. Females oviposit during spring and summer.
All ecoregions west of the Cascade Crest. See Distribution Map.
For information on the complete range of this species, see NatureServe Explorer.
Ensatina are a terrestrial species inhabiting forests stands of all ages, but they appear to be more abundant in regions with moderate rainfall among the generally higher rainfall areas in western Washington. As a consequence, Ensatina is more common along much of the west slope of the Cascade Mountains than it is in the Coast Ranges. Although less typical, they can also be found around clearcuts and other openings. They are usually found associated with woody debris including decaying logs (most often class 3) and stumps but also occur in talus and other rocky areas. Three published accounts of nests found in Washington describe use of cavities within rotting logs.
This species is common and appears to be well-distributed throughout its historical range in Washington.
No inventory or research needs exist at this time. Observations from areas not indicated on the map can be submitted to Lori Salzer at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at salzeljs@dfw.wa.gov.
None at this time.
Aubry et al. (1988), Bury et al. (1991), Bury and Corn (1988), Corn and Bury (1991), Herrington (1988), Jones and Aubry (1985), Norman (1986), Norman and Norman (1980), Petranka (1998), Stebbins (1949), Stebbins (1985), Storer (1925)
Hallock, L.A. and McAllister, K.R. 2005. Ensatina. Washington Herp Atlas. http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/
Last updated: February 2005