Plethodon vehiculum (Cooper, 1860)

Common Name and Body Form

Plethodon vehiculum, commonly called the western red-backed salamander, has a slender body with relatively short limbs.

Size Measurements

Adult individuals have an average snout-to-vent length of 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm), and an average total length (including the tail) of 3 to 4.5 inches (7.6 to 11.4 cm).

Dorsal Stripe Characteristics

A colored stripe runs along its back, extending from the front of the head all the way to the tip of the tail.

Stripe Color Variation

The stripe's color is highly variable: it is most commonly reddish orange, but can also be bright yellow, and cases of melanism have been recorded for this species.

Geographic Range Extent

The western red-backed salamander's range extends from southwestern Oregon in the United States to southwestern British Columbia in Canada.

Range Distribution Details

Within this range, it occurs from the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Coast, and it has also been found on Vancouver Island.

Habitat Types

This species occupies a variety of habitats, including temperate forests, rocky talus slopes, and riparian areas.