Coastal Giant Salamander

About the Coastal Giant Salamander

The coastal giant salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) is a species of salamander in the genus Dicamptodon (Pacific giant salamanders). It is endemic to the Pacific Northwest of North America. There are three closely related species to this taxon: D. ensatus (California giant salamander), D. copei (Cope's giant salamander), and D. aterrimus (Idaho giant salamander).

The coastal giant salamander can reach up to 33 cm (13 in) in total length as a terrestrial adult, and 35.5 cm (14.0 in) in paedomorphic forms, making it the largest terrestrial salamander in North America. The coastal giant salamander has stout limbs with four toes on the front feet and five toes on the back feet. The species tail is around 40 percent of the total length of the salamander and is laterally compressed. The head, back, and sides have a marbled or reticulate pattern of dark blotches on a light brown or brassy-colored background. The head is broad with a shovel-like snout and a fold of skin across the throat called the gular fold. The eyes are medium in size and have a brass-flecked iris and a large black pupil. This species is one of the few salamanders capable of vocalizing. Wikipedia →