Caudata CA Species

Question 1

Salamander: Dark and rough skin, bright orange belly, ventral color does not reach eyes. Largest range of this genus.

Answer 1

Taricha granulosa (Salamandridae)

Question 2

Salamander: Bright red belly, black eyes with no discernable iris, some overlap on range

Answer 2

Taricha rivularis (Salamandridae)

Question 3

Salamander: Rough skin, bright belly, buggy eyes, ventral color meets or goes over the eyes. Primarily coast range and western slope of south Sierra

Answer 3

Taricha torosa (Salamandridae)

Question 4

Salamander: Western slope of Sierra, north of Kawaeh River.

Answer 4

Taricha sierrae (Salamandridae)

Question 5

Salamander: Bigger size, brownish black, yellowish non-uniform spots, bug eyes

Answer 5

Ambystoma californiense (Ambystomatidae)

Question 6

Salamander: Northwestern range, uniform brown color, costal grooves, parotid glands, northwest CA (best identifier)

Answer 6

Ambystoma gracile (Ambystomatidae)

Question 7

Salamander: Long 4th toe on hind foot

Answer 7

Ambystoma macrodactylum (Ambystomatidae)

Question 8

Salamander: Very spotty range, distinct spotted pattern, chunky, introduced

Answer 8

Ambystoma mavortium (Ambystomatidae)

Question 9

Salamander: Mottled pattern, range = bay area, large size

Answer 9

Dicamptodon ensatus (Dicamptodontidae)

Question 10

Salamander: Mottled pattern, range = northwest CA, large size, specimen has short tail

Answer 10

Dicamptodon tenebrosus (Dicamptodontidae)

Question 11

Salamander: Square vent, speckled underbelly

Answer 11

Rhyacotriton variegatus (Rhyacotritonidae)

Question 12

Salamander: High elevation species

Answer 12

Hydromantes platycephalus (Plethodontidae) don’t need to recognize

Question 13

Salamander: Four toes on hind feet, light stripe of coloration on back, slender, coast and sierra foothills, most common

Answer 13

Batrachoseps attenuatus (Plethodontidae)

Question 14

Salamander: Chunky, just north of Bakersfield, four toes on hind feet

Answer 14

Batrachoseps robustus (Plethodontidae)

Question 15

Salamander: Basal tail constriction, ring species

Answer 15

Ensatina eschscholtzii (Plethodontidae)

Question 16

Salamander: 15 costal grooves, bright coloration not to tail, 5 toes on hind feet

Answer 16

Plethodon dunni (Plethodontidae)

Question 17

Salamander: 18 costal grooves, Del Norte county, 5 toes on hind feet

Answer 17

Plethodon elongatus (Plethodontidae)

Question 18

Salamander: Square toe tips, triangular heads, black color, cream speckles, norcal

Answer 18

Aneides flavipunctatus (Plethodontidae)

Question 19

Salamander: Square toes, triangle head, no distinct underbelly, very flecked, norcal

Answer 19

Aneides vagrans (Plethodontidae)

Question 20

Salamander: Square toes, triangle heads, pinkish underbelly, flecked, coast and foothills

Answer 20

Aneides lugubris (Plethodontidae)