Western Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon vehiculum
Western Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon vehiculum
Other names: Western Redback, Redback Salamander
Western Red-backed Salamanders are a small, slender, and short-legged salamander species that are primarily terrestrial. They have a long head with a rounded snout and a red/orange stripe with smooth edges that extends from the head to the tip of the tail. The rest of the body is dark brown to black with ‘salt and pepper’ speckling throughout. Individuals generally have 15 or 16 , though they may range from 14 – 18. Male Western Red-backed Salamanders have enlarged teeth and vent flaps. Juveniles are similar looking to adults, but with brighter colouring.
Listen to the Indigenous words for “salamander” here!
The Western Red-backed Salamander may be confused with other salamander species that also have a bright dorsal stripe, like the Coeur d’Alene Salamander and the Long-toed Salamander. The Coeur d’Alene Salamander’s dorsal stripe has uneven edges, and they have 14 costal grooves, distinct , and are heavier-bodied than the Western Red-backed Salamander. The Coeur d’Alene and Western Red-backed Salamanders also do not overlap in their range in British Columbia. The Long-toed Salamander has a wavy-edged dorsal stripe that is typically green, yellow, or light orange and not red. Long-toed Salamanders are also heavier-bodied and have characteristically long toes on the hind feet, compared to Western Red-backed Salamanders. Melanistic individuals (i.e., lacking a dorsal stripe) of Western Red-backed Salamanders and Long-toed Salamanders occur.
Western Red-backed Salamander
Coeur d’Alene Salamander
Long-toed Salamander
The Western Red-backed Salamander is found in North America along the west coast from southwestern British Columbia to southwestern Oregon. In British Columbia, they are found on Vancouver Island and the southwestern section of the mainland.
Western Red-backed Salamanders prefer to reside in mature and old-growth forests, although they are also found in younger forests. In either case, they are found in very moist habitats with abundant leaf litter, woody debris, or talus. Within forest habitats they are commonly found in rocky areas and at the edges of streams and seeps. Western Red-backed Salamanders are completely terrestrial and will overwinter below the frost line in talus, mammal burrows, and underground cavities.
Western Red-backed Salamanders are fully terrestrial (i.e., do not have an aquatic larval stage). They breed in the fall, with the female laying 6-20 eggs the following spring or summer. Females care for the eggs until they begin to hatch 6-8 weeks later when the autumn rains begin, typically in late August or September. Sexual maturity is reached after 2 or 3 years, with females in Canada only breeding every other year. The lifespan of Western Red-backed Salamanders is estimated to be more than 10 years.
Western Red-backed Salamanders are generalist feeders of terrestrial invertebrates including springtails, mites, spiders, and isopods.
The Western Red-backed Salamander does not appear to be at risk as it is widespread and remains locally abundant. However, it may be vulnerable to the effects of climate change if it increases the frequency and severity of drought events in their range. They may also be particularly sensitive to pollution, as toxins found in the environment will be readily absorbed through the skin.
Description
Other names: Western Redback, Redback Salamander
Western Red-backed Salamanders are a small, slender, and short-legged salamander species that are primarily terrestrial. They have a long head with a rounded snout and a red/orange stripe with smooth edges that extends from the head to the tip of the tail. The rest of the body is dark brown to black with ‘salt and pepper’ speckling throughout. Individuals generally have 15 or 16 , though they may range from 14 – 18. Male Western Red-backed Salamanders have enlarged teeth and vent flaps. Juveniles are similar looking to adults, but with brighter colouring.
Listen to the Indigenous words for “salamander” here!
Similar Species
The Western Red-backed Salamander may be confused with other salamander species that also have a bright dorsal stripe, like the Coeur d’Alene Salamander and the Long-toed Salamander. The Coeur d’Alene Salamander’s dorsal stripe has uneven edges, and they have 14 costal grooves, distinct , and are heavier-bodied than the Western Red-backed Salamander. The Coeur d’Alene and Western Red-backed Salamanders also do not overlap in their range in British Columbia. The Long-toed Salamander has a wavy-edged dorsal stripe that is typically green, yellow, or light orange and not red. Long-toed Salamanders are also heavier-bodied and have characteristically long toes on the hind feet, compared to Western Red-backed Salamanders. Melanistic individuals (i.e., lacking a dorsal stripe) of Western Red-backed Salamanders and Long-toed Salamanders occur.
Credit: Ryan Gill
Western Red-backed Salamander
Credit: Ryan Gill
Coeur d’Alene Salamander
Credit: Joe Crowley
Long-toed Salamander
Distribution
The Western Red-backed Salamander is found in North America along the west coast from southwestern British Columbia to southwestern Oregon. In British Columbia, they are found on Vancouver Island and the southwestern section of the mainland.
Habitat
Western Red-backed Salamanders prefer to reside in mature and old-growth forests, although they are also found in younger forests. They are found in moist habitats with abundant leaf litter, woody debris, or talus. They are commonly found in rocky areas and at the edges of streams and seeps. Western Red-backed Salamanders are completely terrestrial and will overwinter below the frost line in talus, mammal burrows, and underground cavities.
Reproduction
Western Red-backed Salamanders are fully terrestrial (i.e., do not have an aquatic larval stage). They breed in the fall, with the female laying 6-20 eggs the following spring or summer. Females care for the eggs until they begin to hatch 6-8 weeks later when the autumn rains begin, typically in late August or September. Sexual maturity is reached after 2 or 3 years, with females in Canada only breeding every other year. The lifespan of Western Red-backed Salamanders is estimated to be more than 10 years.
Diet
Western Red-backed Salamanders are generalist feeders of terrestrial invertebrates including springtails, mites, spiders, and isopods.
Threats
The Western Red-backed Salamander does not appear to be at risk as it is widespread and remains locally abundant. However, it may be vulnerable to the effects of climate change if it increases the frequency and severity of drought events in their range. They may also be particularly sensitive to pollution, as toxins found in the environment will be readily absorbed through the skin.
Did You Know?
The Western Red-backed Salamander is a member of the family Plethodontidae, or the lungless salamanders. As they do not have lungs, they absorb oxygen through their skin and so must remain moist at all times to allow for diffusion of gases through the skin.
Western Red-backed Salamanders can ‘communicate’ with each other through a series of body postures, and by scent-marking.