Home |
Amphibians
of Washington |
Plethodon larselli, Larch Mountain salamander
Description. This is a small to medium sized salamander (up to10
cm total length) that is brown with small whitish flecks on the sides,
and has a broad reddish or yellowish dorsal stripe; the belly is red or
salmon-pink.
Distribution. The Larch Mountain salamander occurs in the Cascade
Mountains of southern Washington and northern Oregon. In Washington, it
occurs from the Columbia River Gorge to just north of Snoqualmie Pass.
Click here to go to the Washington Gap Analysis distribution
map for this species; use the "back" button on your web browser to
come back to this page.
Habitat. These salamanders live in shady, moss-covered talus
slopes and in cave entrances at low to mid elevations.
Cool Biology Facts. Larch Mountain salamanders are most common
on mossy talus slopes, but also occur in other habitats. They are active
during the spring and fall, but retreat deep into the talus during the
summer and winter.
Conservation status. These salmanders occur in patches of appropriate
habitat, and appear to be very sensitive to availability of cool, moist,
shady talus habitats. Disturbance of these habitats can cause local extinction
of populations.
Photograph by Brad Moon.
