Basic Facts

Size:  4.2-6 cm

Description: The body of this species is slightly stouter and the limbs are stronger than the similar Eastern redback salamander. This species has an even-edged dorsal stripe that extends to the tip of the tail. The stripe is red, orange, yellow, olive or tan. It is sometimes completely obscured by dark pigment. The sides are dark and the belly is mottled in a salt and pepper effect. There are usually 16 costal grooves but they range between 14 to 18.

Distribution: This species lives in southwestern mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

Feeding

larva: no larvae
adult: carnivorous
food: Food consists of various terrestrial invertebrates such as mites and spiders.

Habitat

egg: terrestrial
larva: n/a
adult: terrestrial



Western redback salamander
Plethodon vehiculum

Adult
image
Martin Ouellet


Life history

Breeding season: Females oviposit in the spring.

Egg habitat: Eggs are laid in hollows of rotting logs.

Clutch size: 6 - 19 eggs are deposited.

Description: Eggs are laid in the spring, development occurs in the summer and the hatchlings emerge in the fall. Males produce sperm every year but females oviposit every other year.

Adult habitat: Adults live in talus slopes, under bark, in rotting wood and leaves in dense and moist coniferous forests.

Conservation

This salamander is threatened by urban development and intensive forest management practices. Young forest stands lack appropriate microhabitat conditions such as snags and large, downed logs.