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).
