Van Dyke's Salamander
Plethodon vandykei
Silhouette: Beth Reinke · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAmphibia (Amphibians)
- OrderCaudata (Salamanders)
- FamilyPlethodontidae (Lungless Salamanders)
- GenusPlethodon (Woodland Salamanders)
- SpeciesPlethodon vandykei (Van Dyke's Salamander)
About the Van Dyke's Salamander
Van Dyke's salamander (Plethodon vandykei) is a small woodland salamander in the family Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders. These animals breathe through their skin and are largely terrestrial. Compared to other salamanders in Plethodon it is relatively stocky with long legs. Usually associated with streams, seepages, and rock outcrops, it is endemic to Washington where it is found in a limited number of small, isolated populations.
Van Dyke's salamander was first described by John Van Denburgh in 1906 from a specimen found in Mount Rainier National Park. The species was named in honor of its collector, Edwin Cooper Van Dyke. The Coeur d'Alene salamander (Plethodon idahoensis) and the Larch Mountain salamander (Plethodon larselli) are its two closest relatives in the region. At one time, all three were thought to be members of the same species until genetic studies concluded that they were distinct species.
Van Dyke's salamander has a relatively stocky body and grows up to 10 cm long. There are parotoid glands behind the eyes, and the feet are broad and slightly webbed. Different color phases are described based on body color, which can be black... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Van Dyke's Salamander in Olympic National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Olympic National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olympic National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Van Dyke's Salamander in Olympic National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Van Dyke's Salamander sighting in Olympic National Park, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Van Dyke's Salamander in Olympic National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Van Dyke's Salamander in Olympic National Park in our monthly data.