Wandering Salamander

The Wandering Salamander is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

The Wandering Salamander has toes with squared-off tips. Compare with the more rounded toe tips of Aneides flavipunctatus, the Black Salamander. More

The Wandering Salamander (Aneides vagrans) is a species of salamander in the Plethodontidae family. It is found in Canada and the United States. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. More

Identification/Variations: The Wandering Salamander is a medium sized woodland salamander that is typically brown with varying amounts of brass colored flecking. Young may be a rusted red color that fades as they mature. More

Wandering Salamanders (Aneides vagrans) have an unusual distribution. They are found in the coastal forests of northern California and in British Columbia. They are not found in either Oregon or Washington (Jackman 1999(1998)). More

distribution of wandering salamanders in California extends from northern Siskiyou and Del Norte counties, south through extreme western Trinity, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties in an increasingly narrow coastal strip to the vicinity of Stewart's Point, northwestern Sonoma County. More

The wandering salamander was split out from the clouded salamander (Aneides ferreus) as a separate species based on genetic studies. More

The Wandering Salamander may be either uniformly dark brown on the back or brown with greenish-gray to coppery blotches. The belly is whitish to brownish with white flecking. The body shape is slim and long legged with squarish-tipped toes adapted for climbing. More

Wandering Salamander is a lungless salamander, it absorbs oxygen through it's moist skin. This salamander is often found under the bark of fallen trees. An attractive species found on Vancouver Island, introduced from California. More

Wandering Salamander (juvenile) Myer's Flat (drive-through tree) (So. Humboldt Co.) Dec. More