14 Types of Salamanders in Oregon (Pictures)

Salamanders are a vital part of Oregon’s ecosystems, contributing to forest health and maintaining ecological balance. With at least 14 species of salamanders in Oregon, there are plenty of opportunities to encounter these fascinating amphibians in their natural habitats.

You’ll often find salamanders near water or in moist environments, such as damp forests, wetlands, and along stream banks. Despite their small size and unassuming nature, these amphibians play an essential role in controlling insect populations and improving soil quality through their burrowing habits.

Meet Oregon’s 14 Salamander Species

Salamanders have existed for millions of years, making them one of the oldest groups of amphibians. They range from beautifully patterned to unusually shaped, showcasing a variety of adaptations that make them unique. This article explores 14 salamander species found in Oregon, highlighting their traits, habitats, and importance to the environment.

1. Dunn’s Salamander

Scientific Name: Plethodon dunni

Dunn’s salamander is a small, slender species with a dark body and a bronze or yellow stripe running down its back. This coloring helps it blend perfectly into its rocky, moist surroundings.

You can find these salamanders in the Coast and Cascade Ranges of Oregon. Look for them near rocky streambeds or in damp, forested areas. They love hiding under logs, moss, and leaf litter.

Because they need clean, undisturbed habitats, their presence is a great sign of a healthy ecosystem.

2. Columbia Torrent Salamander

Scientific Name: Rhyacotriton kezeri

The Columbia torrent salamander is a small, secretive amphibian that grows up to 4 inches long. Its gray, green, or brown back contrasts with its bright yellow or orange underside.

You’ll find this salamander near cold, clear streams in the Coast Range of northwest Oregon. They prefer habitats with rocky streambeds and waterfalls, where they can forage and hide from predators.

They’re often spotted during heavy rains when they venture into the woods to avoid being swept away by strong currents.

3. Northwestern Salamander

Scientific Name: Ambystoma gracile

The northwestern salamander is one of the most common salamanders in Oregon. These amphibians have smooth, dark brown skin, sometimes with mottled spots, and a lighter underside.

You can see them throughout western Oregon in habitats like forests, woodlands, and meadows. They spend most of their lives underground in rodent burrows, coming out mostly at night or during cool, wet weather.

They’re most active in the fall and spring, but you might also spot them basking in the sun on cooler days.

4. Rough-skinned Newt

Scientific Name: Taricha granulosa

The rough-skinned newt is known for its toxic skin, which serves as a powerful defense against predators. Its back is dark brown or olive green, while its underside is bright orange or yellow.

You can find these newts throughout Oregon near slow-moving water like ponds, lakes, and marshes. They’re especially common in forested areas near the coast and the eastern foothills of the Cascades.

Be cautious if you handle one—its toxins are strong enough to deter even the hungriest predators!

5. Cascade Torrent Salamander

Scientific Name: Rhyacotriton cascadae

The Cascade torrent salamander is a small amphibian with a brown or tan back covered in dark flecks, and its underside is bright yellow or orange. Adults grow up to 4 inches long.

You’ll spot them in the western Cascade Mountains of Oregon, especially near waterfalls and fast-flowing streams. They thrive in cold, clear water with plenty of rocky hiding places.

This salamander is most active during wet weather and can often be found foraging for small insects and other invertebrates.

6. Ensatina

Scientific Name: Ensatina eschscholtzii

The ensatina is a medium-sized salamander with a wide variety of color patterns, from reddish-brown to bright orange. Its colors often help it blend into the forest floor.

You can find these salamanders in western Oregon, particularly in moist forests with plenty of leaf litter and fallen logs. They love damp, shaded environments.

A cool thing about the ensatina is its ability to drop its tail when threatened. This trick gives it time to escape predators.

7. Oregon Slender Salamander

Scientific Name: Batrachoseps wrighti

The Oregon slender salamander is a tiny, worm-like salamander with a dark brown or black body and coppery flecks along its back.

You can find this species in western Oregon, particularly in old-growth forests with plenty of decaying logs and bark. They’re often hidden under wood or in soft soil.

Like many salamanders in Oregon, it’s lungless and breathes through its skin, making moist environments essential for its survival.

8. Blotched Tiger Salamander

Scientific Name: Ambystoma mavortium

The blotched tiger salamander is one of the largest salamanders in Oregon, growing over a foot long! It’s usually dark brown or black with large, blotchy spots.

You’ll spot them in the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountains, often in forested areas near ponds, lakes, or streams. During the day, they hide under rocks or logs, and they come out at night to hunt insects and small invertebrates.

These salamanders are nocturnal and prefer living near water, where they can stay cool and moist.

9. Western Redback Salamander

Scientific Name: Plethodon vehiculum

The western redback salamander is a small species with a dark body and a striking red or orange stripe running down its back.

You can find these salamanders in western Oregon, especially in damp forests and under logs, rocks, or leaf litter. They’re common but often go unnoticed because of their small size and secretive nature.

This species is lungless and relies on its skin for breathing, which is why it sticks to moist environments.

10. Cope’s Giant Salamander

Scientific Name: Dicamptodon copei

Cope’s giant salamander is a rare species in Oregon, growing up to 8 inches long. Its marbled brown and tan body blends in well with its rocky surroundings.

You can find these salamanders in the Cascade Range, particularly in fast-moving, icy streams. Adults are often seen near small rocks, where they hide from predators and search for food.

This species is unique because it can live both in water and on land, though terrestrial adults are less commonly observed.

11. Clouded Salamander

Scientific Name: Aneides ferreus

The clouded salamander is a slender species with a marbled gray or brown back. Its name comes from its cloudy, mottled appearance.

You’ll find them in the coastal forests of Oregon, where they live in decaying logs, under bark, and in tree cavities. They are excellent climbers and are sometimes seen high up in trees.

This species prefers moist, old-growth forests and relies on decaying wood for shelter and hunting grounds.

12. Long-toed Salamander

Scientific Name: Ambystoma macrodactylum

The long-toed salamander gets its name from its noticeably long fourth toe on the hind feet. It has a dark brown or black body with a ragged yellow stripe running down its back, flecked with silver or white spots.

You can find these salamanders across Oregon, particularly in the Cascade Range, the Siskiyou Mountains, and the Willamette Valley. They thrive in moist environments near ponds, streams, and wetlands.

These nocturnal hunters feed on insects, worms, and other small invertebrates and are often seen during the rainy season.

13. Coastal Giant Salamander

Scientific Name: Dicamptodon tenebrosus

The coastal giant salamander is one of the largest salamanders in Oregon, growing up to 14 inches in length. Its marbled brown and tan body gives it excellent camouflage in its forest habitat.

You’ll find these salamanders in western Oregon, near cold, clear streams, ponds, and lakes. During heavy rainfall, they sometimes venture onto the forest floor when their underground burrows flood.

This species is both aquatic and terrestrial, with adults spending much of their time hiding under rocks or logs near water.

14. Larch Mountain Salamander

Scientific Name: Plethodon larselli

The Larch Mountain salamander is a tiny, lungless salamander with a pinkish underside and dark, spotted stripes running along its back. Adults grow to about 4 inches in length.

You can find this rare species in the Columbia River Gorge area, where it lives in steep piles of volcanic rock and mossy forested slopes. It thrives in damp, shaded environments where moss and leaf litter provide constant moisture.

These salamanders are sensitive to habitat changes and rely on undisturbed ecosystems, making them a key species to protect in Oregon.