Arboreal Salamander © Dennis Sheridan

Salamanders

Description 4 1/4-7 1/4" (10.8-18.4 cm). Climbing; grayish to chocolate brown with oversized head. Cream or yellowish spots usually seen above; belly creamy-white. Tail somewhat prehensile; toe tips expanded, squarish. Costal grooves, 15-16.

Breeding Late spring to early summer. 1-2 dozen eggs laid in tree hollow, rotten log, or earthen cavity. Female broods eggs, which hatch in 3-4 months.

Habitat Live oak woodlands along coast to yellow pine and black oak forests in foothills.

Range Coast Ranges of California from Humboldt County to Baja California. Also, c. Sierra Nevada foothills; South Farallon, Santa Catalina, and Los Coronados islands.

Discussion Champion climber among salamanders. One was found in a red tree mouse's nest 60 feet (18.3 m) up. Rarely seen during summer dry season, it hides in moist tree hollows, roden burrows, caves, and damp basements. Several dozen may share a retreat. It surfaces during fall rains. At night it forages for insects in trees and on the ground amid leaf litter. It may squeak like a mouse when handled and bites.