Ensatina eschscholtzii

Ensatina

Identification/Variations: One of the more common salamanders in the Pacific Northwest, the Ensatina is typically a gray or brown color. In California there are recognized variations that are much more colorful. The variations observed in the Pacific Northwest are the Oregon Ensatina which is found in southwest British Columbia, Washington and Oregon while the Painted Ensatina barely enters our region in southwest Oregon.

Range/Habitat: Ensatinas are found when conditions are temperate and moist. Look for them under rocks and logs. They are common and they are easy to find throughout their range in the Pacific Northwest.

Notes: The only salamander that ranges from British Columbia all the way south to Baja California, the tremendous range of this animal helps to explain the seven recognized variations of this species. Many of the variations have large intergrade zones.