Larch Mountain Salamander

Plethodon larselli

This small salamander shares its habitat with poisonous millipedes, which coil up when they are uncovered under forest debris. Larch Mountain Salamanders also coil up, and some herpetologists think they are mimicking the toxic millipedes and hoping to fool predators.

Look For : The smallest western woodland salamander; the back stripe is tan, reddish, or yellowish; body is pink, red, or red-orange below.

Length : 3-4".

Habitat : Low-elevation rocky slopes, mostly in Douglas Fir forests.

Range : Columbia River Gorge in Washington and Oregon.