Description: Total length is 7 to 13cm. Large, with a short round head and large paratoid glands behind eyes. Have a thick glandular region on the upper part of their tail and ridged lines along the sides of their body Dark brown, gray or black; sometimes have flecks of cream or yellow.

Habitat: Found in a variety of moist habitats including open grasslands, woodlands and forests near freshwater sources.

Range: The Northwestern salamander is restricted to the Pacific coast of North America. In Washington State they are found west of the cascades, including Whidbey, Bainbridge and Vashon islands.

Found in these States: AK | CA | OR | WA

Diet: adult salamanders eat small terrestrial invertebrates such as insects, worms, and arachnids. Larvae and juveniles consume aquatic invertebrates including snails, worms, and tadpoles.

Reproduction: Breeding season is February to April. In the high elevations of the Cascades, breeding frequently starts in late spring, from June to August. Eggs masses are attached to underwater plants and grasses and are hard to the touch. Egg masses accumulate algae that grow on the inside of the eggs, giving them a green color. Larvae mature in 12 to 14 months. In higher elevations, the larvae often overwinter twice and will mature over three seasons. Neotonic adults are common and the frequency of occurrence increases with elevation levels.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution and presumed large population. The conservation status of Ambystoma gracile populations is unknown. No declines are apparent in Canada. In the Cascade Mountains of Washington, A. gracile is far less abundant in young forests than in old-growth forests. However, a survey in western Oregon found little correlation between salamander abundance and stand age, so it remains unclear whether A. gracile requires old growth forest to thrive. Clear-cutting, however, seems to render the habitat unsuitable; no salamanders were found on recent clear-cuts. Leaving a forest buffer of 200–250 m surrounding breeding sites used by terrestrial adults may preserve optimal environmental conditions for local populations

Taxonomy: