Dicamptodontidae - Giant Pacific Salamanders |
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 There are four species in this family. They are all found
in coniferous forests in northwestern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia in Canada. They have flat, stocky bodies;
wide heads; bulging eyes; and a long, laterally-flattened tail.
The species in this family are about a foot in length, and most are brown with brown or black spots and splotches.
They spend the day
under logs or rocks and come out at night, especially after it rains. One species,
Cope's giant salamander, has gills and lives in the water. Another species, the
California giant salamander, makes a barking sound when it is disturbed!
The female in this family lays single eggs in streams. She cares for the eggs until they hatch. The larvae have external gills and four pairs of gill slits. The live in the water for 2-5 years.
World Status Key
 Least Concern  Near Threatened  Vulnerable  Endangered  Critically Endangered  Extinct in Wild  Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
 Threatened in US  Threatened in NH  Endangered in US  Endangered in NH  Breeds in NH  Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
Location Key
 Africa  Asia  Australia  Europe  North America  South America  NH  Click for More Info  Click for Image
New Hampshire Species |
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North/Central American Species |
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Idaho Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon aterrimus
Cope's Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon copei
California Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon ensatus
Pacific Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon tenebrosus |
Additional Information Resource Key
 Profile  Photos  Video  Audio
Idaho Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon aterrimus
The Idaho giant salamander is found in northern Idaho and extreme western Montana.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Idaho Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon aterrimus
The Idaho giant salamander can close to 13 inches in length.
Source: Idaho Digital Library Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Idaho Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon aterrimus
The Idaho giant salamander is found near or in streams in forested areas.
Source: Northern Rockies Natural History Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary School
Idaho Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon aterrimus
The Idaho giant salamander lays its eggs in theheadwaters of mountain streams.
Source: California Herps Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A
Cope's Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon copei
Cope's giant salamander is found from Washington south to northwestern Oregon.
Source: AmphibiaWeb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Cope's Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon copei
Female Cope's giant salamanders lay their eggs under rocks or logs and guard them.
Source: Washington Division of Natural Resources Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Cope's Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon copei
Cope's giant salamanders are found in clear, cold mountain streams.
Source: Burke Museum Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Cope's Giant Salamander - Dicamptodon copei
Cope's giant salamanders rarely tranform into a terrestrial adult form.
Source: California Herps Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A |
