Native Amphibians

These small salamanders can be incredibly abundant in the right habitat and are some of the most common amphibians in the Fraser Valley. Growing up to around 12 cm long on average, they have a streamlined, slim shape when compared to other salamanders. Their legs are relatively small compared to their bodies. They typically have a red stripe running down the length of their back, though the color of the stripe is highly variable. Colors found on these salamanders include red, orange, yellow, black, white, silver and gold.

This species is one of the largest found in the area, and can grow to be roughly 20 cm long from snout to tail tip. They are sometimes confused with our other large species, the Coastal Giant Salamander.  They are normally black or brown, with shiny skin and large raised glands behind their eyes. Their bodies are robust with relatively strong legs. As adults, they are patternless and generally the same color all over their bodies. They can sometimes be found in ponds and wetlands as aquatic adults with gills and an enlarged tail.

A species that is characterized by a large yellow stripe down the back, and an elongated toe on their back feet. They rely on standing bodies of water to breed and are one of the species that migrate to and from wetlands. Sometimes confused with the Western Red-backed Salamander, this species is larger bodied on average and can be identified by its namesake long toe on its back feet. They can get to be around 13 cm long from head to tail.

The only newt found in BC, these animals have a black or brown back and a bright reddish-orange belly. Their skin is bumpy as their name suggests, unlike other salamanders. These are medium sized salamanders and can attain an adult size of around 15 cm long. When threatened they can lift their legs and arch their backs to display the orange warning colors as a message to predators. When pressed, they will release a poison from their skin that is potent enough to keep most animals from being interested.  Another species that uses wetlands to breed, they can be found in high numbers crossing certain roads during the right time of the year.

This is a unique species of salamander in that it does not require water to reproduce, unlike most other amphibians. They lay their eggs on land, which hatch into miniature versions of adults. This species is usually a uniform color of brownish orange, or sometimes pink. They have large, buggy eyes that protrude far out form their head when compared to other salamander species. Generally the adults are around 12 cm long from the tip of their snout to the end of their tail. When attacked by a predator, these salamanders can drop their tail as a distraction in much the same way a lizard would.

The largest species of salamander found in Canada, these rare animals are secretive and often hard to find.  Living only in a select few mountain streams near Chilliwack, their mottled brown and grey coloration keeps them well hidden both in streams and on land. Capable of living their whole lives as aquatic adults, this species can morph into terrestrial forms when the need arises. As terrestrial adults, they are capable of growing up to 30 centimeters long from their head to the end of their tail.