Northwestern Salamander

Northwestern Salamanders are found along the west coast of North America, from Alaska to central California. In Washington, they range from sea-level to the timberline west of the Cascades. They spend most of their time under logs or underground. They are usually active only during fall rains or, in the spring, as they migrate to the freshwater ponds in which they breed. These salamanders secrete poison from the glands behind their eyes and are normally avoided by predators. Erika and I encountered this individual on 22 March at the Billy Frank Jr National Wildlife Refuge. The salamander seemed quite lethargic, probably as a result of the 40° morning temperature, but the salamander may have been wounded by any of the many human hikers along the dike trail. In any event, for us this Northwestern Salamander is a first.