Oregon Slender Salamander

Photo Credit: Dave Huth, Flickr

Overview

  • Species Common Name Oregon Slender Salamander
  • Species Scientific Name Batrachoseps wrighti
  • Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
  • State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Special needs

Oregon slender salamanders inhabit late-successional and second-growth forests. They are often associated with large-diameter, decaying Douglas fir logs and bark debris mounds at the base of snags. They may also occur in talus and lava fields that retain moisture, and areas with mixed coniferous and deciduous duff over mineral and organic soils. The latter duff accumulations are often found along margins of little-used roads, likely due to runoff patterns and substrate type. Oregon slender salamanders may clump together in groups to remain damp.

Limiting factors

Oregon slender salamanders are endemic to the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. The Columbia River limits their dispersal. Given their restricted distribution, Oregon slender salamanders are vulnerable to stochastic events. They require habitat complexity characteristic of late-successional and unmanaged, younger forests. They exhibit high site fidelity to breeding areas.

Conservation actions

Maintain habitat with late-successional attributes suitable for this species.

Key reference or plan

Conservation Assessment for the Oregon Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps wrighti)

Life History Traits