Description: Dunn's salamander is a moderately sized, terrestrial salamander. Adults measure 2.4 to 3.0 inches in snout–vent length and 3.9 to 6.1 inches in total length. The body is dark brown or black. A distinct broad yellowish to olive green dorsal stripe runs from the head to the tail, without reaching the tip of the tail. Light spots are on the sides. Some individuals and even populations are black (melanistic) and have been described as a separate species, Plethodon gordoni. However, these are not genetically distinct from ordinary P. dunni and are presently not considered a distinct species. It has no larval stage. Juveniles are 0.51 to 0.63 inches in snout–vent length.

Habitat: The salamander inhabits a variety of moist microhabitats and is found along shady, cool streams or seepages in wet, rocky areas and in forests, talus slopes, and moss-covered outcrops, often under rocks, logs, moss, and leaf-litter. This salamander generally prefers moister microhabitats than sympatric species such as Ensatina or the western red-backed salamander.

Range: This species is found in extreme southwestern Washington south to extreme northwestern California. It occurs at elevations from sea level to about 1,000 meters above sea level.

Found in these States: CA | OR | WA

Diet: Juvenile diet consists mainly of small invertebrates.

Reproduction: Eggs are laid in clusters (four to fifteen) on dry land within moist areas of cover. There is no free-living larval stage. Hatchlings emerge as juvenile salamanders.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its relatively wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification and presumed large population.

Taxonomy: