Plethodon dunni

Dunn's Salamander

Family: Plethodontidae · Class: Amphibia · Order: Caudata

Dunn's salamander is a medium-sized terrestrial salamander endemic to the Pacific Northwest coastal region. Adults typically measure 89 to 140 mm (3.5 to 5.5 inches) in total length, with females generally larger than males. The species exhibits considerable color variation, ranging from yellow-green to brown or black dorsally, often with distinctive light-colored patches or stripes. The underside is typically yellowish to orange. The body is moderately robust with a constriction at the base of the tail, and the species lacks an aquatic larval stage. Dunn's salamander occurs along the Pacific coast from extreme southwestern Washington through western Oregon to northwestern California. In California, the species is found in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties, primarily in coastal regions and inland to approximately 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) elevation. The California populations represent the southern extent of the species' range and are geographically isolated from the main populations in Oregon. This species inhabits old-growth and mature second-growth coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by Douglas fir, western hemlock, and redwood. Dunn's salamanders require cool, moist microhabitats with abundant coarse woody debris, including fallen logs, stumps, and root systems. They are commonly found under bark, in rock crevices, and within decaying wood. The species demonstrates strong fidelity to specific microsites and requires consistent moisture levels throughout the year. Optimal habitat includes forests with closed canopies that maintain stable temperature and humidity conditions. Dunn's salamanders are lungless, breathing entirely through their skin and mouth lining, which necessitates their dependence on moist environments. They are primarily nocturnal and become active during periods of high humidity, particularly during fall and winter rains. The species exhibits direct development, with females depositing 9 to 19 unpigmented eggs in terrestrial sites during late spring and early summer. Eggs are brooded by the female for approximately three months, hatching directly into miniature adults without an aquatic larval stage. Sexual maturity is reached at 4 to 6 years of age. The diet consists primarily of small arthropods, including springtails, mites, beetles, and fly larvae, which are captured using a projectile tongue. Dunn's salamander is not federally listed but faces significant conservation challenges throughout its range. The primary threat is habitat loss due to timber harvesting practices that remove large woody debris and alter forest structure. Clear-cutting eliminates the cool, moist microhabitats essential for survival. Climate change poses additional risks through increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns that may reduce suitable habitat. In California, the species' limited range makes populations particularly vulnerable to local extinctions. Forest management practices that retain coarse woody debris, maintain canopy closure, and preserve connectivity between suitable habitat patches are essential for conservation. Long-term monitoring is needed to assess population trends, as the cryptic nature and specific habitat requirements of this species make population assessment challenging.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, and more.