General Distribution
There are no known occurrences of this species on National Forest System lands. However, potential
habitat near the Tehachapi Mountains is present at Liebre and Sawmill Mountains on the Angeles
National Forest and the Mount Pinos/Frazier Mountain area on the Los Padres National Forest
(Stephenson and Calcarone 1999). Systematics
Tehachapi slender salamander is one of 19 recognized Batrachoseps salamanders. An additional
Batrachoseps species from the southern Sierra Nevada is currently being described, and several others
from this area have been identified but not described (Hansen pers. comm.).. Habitat Requirements
Tehachapi slender salamander occurs in moist canyons and ravines in oak and mixed pine-oak woodland
(Stebbins 1985) and appears to prefer north-facing talus slopes (Zeiner and others 1988). The species is
almost always found on slopes with rocks or talus where abundant leaf litter or decomposing logs and
branches provide moist microhabitats (Steinhart 1990). Reproduction
Little information exists on specific habitat requirements for breeding or egg laying (Zeiner and
others 1988). If Tehachapi slender salamander conforms to the pattern of other Batrachoseps species,
eggs are probably laid during the rainy periods of winter and early spring shortly after emergence from
underground summer retreats. The clusters of eggs are probably hidden in moist areas 1–2 feet (0.3–0.6
meters) underground, under pieces of bark, or in talus (Hansen and Stafford 1994). Daily/Seasonal Activity
Tehachapi slender salamanders are nocturnal and active on the surface from November to May when the
ground is moist. During the dry season, they take refuge underground or in moist seepages (Zeiner and
others 1988). Diet and Foraging
Tehachapi slender salamanders forage in leaf litter and under bark and rotten logs for food. They may
also search termite tunnels and earthworm burrows for food. The diet is unknown, but other
Batrachoseps salamanders take small spiders, mites, and various insects (Hansen and Stafford 1994). Predator-Prey Relations
Predators of Tehachapi slender salamander are largely unknown, but they probably include small snakes
such as ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus). Adult and juvenile salamanders may also be eaten by
predatory arthropods, diurnal birds (especially those that search through leaf litter), and small mammals
(Zeiner and others 1988). Literature Cited
Hansen, R.W.; Stafford, R. 1994. Tehachapi slender salamander. In: Thelander, C.G., editor in chief.
Life on the edge: A guide to California's endangered natural resources. Santa Cruz, CA: Biosystems
Analysis, Inc.; 254-255.
Petranka, J.W. 1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Washington and
London: Smithsonian Institution and Press.
Stebbins, R.C. 1985. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. 2d ed., revised. Boston,
MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Steinhart, P. 1990. California's wild heritage: Threatened and endangered animals in the golden
state. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish and Game.
Stephenson, J.R.; Calcarone, G.M. 1999. Southern California mountains and foothills assessment:
Habitat and species conservation issues. General Technical Report PSW-GTR-172. Albany, CA: Pacific
Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Zeiner, D.C.; Laudenslayer, W.F., Jr.; Mayer, K.E., eds. 1988. California's wildlife, Volume
I: Amphibians and reptiles. California Statewide Wildlife Habitat Relationships System. Sacramento,
CA: California Department of Fish and Game.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
