B.C. Reptiles & Amphibians

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Credit: Will Brown

Western Red-backed Salamander

Plethodon vehiculum

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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 dorsal 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 costal grooves, 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 parotid glands, 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.

Long-toed Salamander

Western Red-backed Salamander

Coeur d’Alene 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.
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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.

Conservation Status

Global: G5 (2016)

COSEWIC: NAR

Provincial: S4 (2016)

BC List: Yellow

Learn more about conservation status rankings here

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.
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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.

Species Account Author: Marcus Atkins

References

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 1995. Species Summary: Plethodon vehiculum. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 14, 2021). 
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2016. Conservation Status Report: Plethodon vehiculum. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 14, 2021). 
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2021. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Minist. of Environ. Victoria, B.C. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 14, 2021). 
Ovaska, K. 2007. Monitoring a population of the Western Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon vehiculum) in Goldstream Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, BC. Report prepared for Goldstream Provincial Park, Victoria, BC. 9pp. + appendices. 
Matsuda B.M., D.M. Green, and P.T. Gregory. 2006. Amphibians and Reptiles of British Columbia. Royal BC Museum, Victoria, B.C., Canada.