California Giant Salamander

← Back to the app

Dicamptodon ensatus

California Giant Salamander, a reference photo
Photo: Pierre Fidenci · CC BY-SA 2.5 (licence)

The California giant salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus) is a species of salamander in the family Ambystomatidae. D. ensatus is endemic to California, in the western United States. Terrestrial adults spend most of their time on land in close proximity to fresh water. In contrast, during breeding, in larval development, and neoteny they spend their time inside shallow fresh water. The species once additionally included individuals now belonging to the species D. aterrimus (Idaho giant salamander) and D. tenebrosus (coastal giant salamander), under the common name Pacific giant salamander, which now refers to the whole genus.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of California Giant Salamander being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Caudata
Family
Ambystomatidae
Species
Dicamptodon ensatus

Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.

Check your photo

More species