Ensatina

Ensatina eschscholtzii (commonly known by its genus name, Ensatina) is a species of salamander with a range stretching from British Columbia, through Washington, Oregon, across California (where all seven subspecies variations are located), all the way down to Baja in Mexico.

The Ensatina, which can be found many places including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and the Costal Mountains, is the subspecies E. e. eschscholtzii, or Monterey Ensatina. They reach a total length of three to five inches, and can be identified primarily by the structure of the tail, and how it is narrower at the base. These particular salamanders are the only type that have that particular type of tail and five toes on the back feet.

Males often have longer tails than the females, and many of the salamanders have lighter colored limbs in comparison to the rest of the body. The salamanders lay their eggs underground, often in threes, which then hatch directly into salamanders, skipping the usual aquatic phase. They can usually be seen in their immature phase, which is terrestrial. When they are strictly aquatic again, they are mature and usually ready to breed.

The ensatina can usually be found under logs, brush, by or in streams and lakes, and in other moist places. Please be aware that touching them does cause them harm, as the grease from your fingers clogs their pores, which they use to breathe.

References

“Ensatina Page”, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St. SE, Jamestown, ND 58401 USA, Viewed April 24, 2005, Updated last: November 12, 2004, <http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/narcam/>