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Ensatina eschscholtzii Gray, 1850
Ensatina; Oregon Ensatina
Family: Plethodontidae
Introduction to the Amphibians

Photograph

© Kristiina Ovaska     (Photo ID #2630)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Ensatina eschscholtzii in British Columbia in British Columbia
AmphibiaWeb US Distribution Map

Species Information


The Ensatina is an entirely terrestrial, lungless species of salamander that is found in North America from British Columbia south to Baja, California (Mexico) (Matsuda et al. 2006, Wikipedia 2012). Seven subspecies are recognized throughout its range, with one subspecies present in BC: the Oregon Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis) (Matsuda et al. 2006). In British Columbia, this species is found west of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, on Vancouver Island, along the coast north to Kitlope, and in the Fraser Valley east to Boston Bar (Matsuda et al. 2006).

The Ensatina is medium brown to pinkish tan in colour and lacks markings; the tail is constricted at the base, the eyes are large, and it lacks parotoid glands (Matsuda et al. 2006). Eggs are laid in the spring underground or in a rotted log (Matsuda et al. 2006). This is a predatory species. Diet includes insects and other small animals (spiders, mites, beetles, sowbugs, crickets, springtails, centipedes, millipedes, termites, earthworms, and snails) (AmphibiaWeb 2012).

The Ensatina is a non-migratory species (AmphibiaWeb 2012).

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS4YellowNAR (May 1999)



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Synonyms and Alternate Names

Ensatina klauberi Dunn, 1929
Heredia oregonensis Girard, 1856
Plethodon croceater Cope, 1868

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

Species References

Matsuda, Brent M., David M. Green and Patrick T. Gregory. 2006. Amphibians and Reptiles of British Columbia. Royal BC Museum Handbook. Victoria.

General References

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