ONH - Washington Salamander

Washington Salamander

Plethodon vandykei vandykei

1635
1 - Washington Salamander, Plethodon vandykei vandykei.
04/28/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
1384
2 - Washington Salamanders are well camouflaged among moss and damp sticks.
04/29/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
1361
3 - Washington Salamander.
04/29/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
1325
4 - Washington Salamander.
04/29/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
1393
5 - Washington Salamander.
04/29/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
1393figure
6 - This individual is a female. Note the lack of a groove from the nostril to the lip (nasolabial groove). The yellow throat is also distintive for this species.
04/29/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
1370
7 - Four front toes.
04/29/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington
1415
8 - Five rear toes.
04/29/2005 Heart O' the Hills Area, Olympic National Park, Washington

The Washington Salamander, a subspecies of Van Dyke’s Salmander, is much less common in our neck of the woods than is the Rough-skinned Newt.

Washington Salamanders can be identified by the slim body; smooth, slimy skin; short toes; and the yellow color under the chin. This individual is a female, identified by the lack of a nasolabial groove.