General Distribution
Yellow-blotched salamanders are known to occur in the Tehachapi mountains and extends into the Los
Padres National Forest in the vicinity of Mount Pinos, Frazier Mountain and Alamo Mountain (Jennings
and Hayes 1994). Potential habitat close to the known range of this subspecies exists on Liebre and
Sawmill Mountains on the Angeles National Forest (Stephenson and Calcarone 1999). Systematics
Ensatina is a geographically and genetically variable taxon that has traditionally been treated as a single
species with seven recognized subspecies. The subspecies include both blotched and unblotched color
forms. Ensatina has also traditionally been treated as a "ring" species, whose subspecies form a ring-shaped
distribution around the Central Valley of California and do not interbreed where the ends of the
ring overlap in southern California (Stebbins 1949, Wake and Yanev 1986). Habitat Requirements
Yellow-blotched salamanders occur in open woodlands dominated by black oak (Quercus kelloggii),
blue oak (Q. douglasii), and gray pine (Pinus sabiniana) and in open forests dominated by Jeffrey pine
(P. jeffreyi), ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa), and white fir (Abies concolor). They are also common in
canyons among litter and debris from canyon live oaks (Q. chrysolepis) and extend onto slopes
supporting California scrub oaks (Q. dumosa) and deerbrush (Ceanothus sp.) (Jennings and Hayes
1994). Colonies of Ensatina salamanders seem best developed in marginal belts between dense and
sparse vegetation, that is, in "edge" situations (Stebbins 1951). Downed logs, leaf litter, and woody
debris appear to be important habitat elements (Stebbins 1951). Ensatinas are commonly found in areas
with considerable leaf litter, which serves as an insulating blanket to help conserve moisture and to
buffer temperature fluctuations (Stebbins 1951).
Populations of ensatinas in drier regions of southern California primarily occur on north-facing slopes of
deep canyons and in other microhabitats that provide cool, moist conditions. Ensatinas are frequently
found near streams where soils are relatively moist, or in shaded, moist habitats where there is good
canopy cover (Stebbins 1945, 1951). Reproduction
If yellow-blotched salamander conforms to the patterns of other Ensatina salamanders, mating occurs in
February and March. The male and female perform a complex mating ritual that results in the female
picking up a spermatophore (Stebbins 1951). Females oviposit in late spring in central and southern
coastal populations, and in early summer in northern coastal areas (Norman 1986) and higher elevation
sites in the Sierra Nevada (Stebbins 1951). Each female lays a single cluster of eggs in an underground
passage, beneath bark, or in or beneath logs. The female stays with the eggs, protecting them from
drying and from other animals. The young hatch in the fall and must soon fend for themselves (Stebbins
1959). Daily/Seasonal Activity
The species is nocturnal and difficult to see near the surface, so it could be more widespread than current
data suggest. Juveniles and adults are most active when the ground is wet and temperatures are
moderate (Stebbins 1951, Storer 1925). Ensatinas remain underground throughout the dry summer in
most areas of their range and can tolerate substantial dehydration (Stebbins 1945). During dry weather,
they tend to frequent holes in the ground such as rodent burrows, rotted-out root channels, and openings
among rocks (Stebbins 1951). Except in areas where severe winter weather occurs, ensatinas emerge
with the first rains of autumn and are active on the ground through spring. Surface activity is highest
immediately following rains and continues while temperature and moisture conditions are favorable
(Stebbins 1951). Diet and Foraging
Insects, spiders, crustaceans, and earthworms that occur in and beneath the leaf litter serve as food for
these salamanders. Most feeding occurs above ground when the surface is damp and temperatures are
not too high (Stebbins 1951). The principle prey of 45 specimens from southern California were
isopods, centipedes, spiders, collembolans, and beetles (Zweifel 1949). Predator-Prey Relations
Garter snakes (Thamnophis sp.) and Steller's jays (Cyanocitta cristata) prey upon Ensatinas (Beneski
1989, Stebbins 1954). Snakes often gape repeatedly after eating or attempting to eat ensatinas, a
behavior suggesting that the tail secretions are distasteful and serve to repel potential predators (Storer
1925). Literature Cited
Beneski, J.T., Jr. 1989. Adaptive significance of tail autotomy in the salamander, Ensatina. Journal of
Herpetology 23: 322–324.
Jennings, M.R.; Hayes, M.P. 1994. Amphibian and reptile species of special concern in California.
Rancho Cordova, CA: California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Division.
Norman, B.R. 1986. Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonenesis (Oregon ensatina) reproduction.
Herpetological Review 17: 89.
Petranka, J.W. 1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Washington: Smithsonian
Institution and Press.
Stebbins, R.C. 1945. Water absorption in a terrestrial salamander. Copeia 1945: 25–28.
Stebbins, R.C. 1949. Speciation in salamanders of the plethodontid genus Ensatina. University of
California Publications in Zoology 48: 377–526.
Stebbins, R.C. 1951. Amphibians of western North America. Berkeley, CA: University of California
Press.
Stebbins, R.C. 1954. Natural history of the salamanders of the plethodontid genus Ensatina. University
of California publications in zoology 54: 47-124.
Stebbins, R.C. 1959. Reptiles and amphibians of the San Francisco bay region. Berkeley, CA:
University of California Press.
Stebbins, R.C.; Cohen, N.W. 1995. A natural history of amphibians. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University
Press.
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.
Storer, T.I. 1925. A synopsis of the amphibia of California. University of California Publications in
Zoology 27: 1–342.
Wake, D.B.; Schneider, C.J. 1998. Taxonomy of the plethodontid salamander genus Ensatina.
Herpetologica 54: 279–298.
Wake, D.B.; Yanev, K.P. 1986. Geographic variation in allozymes in a "ring species," the plethodontid
salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii of western North America. Evolution 40: 702–715.
Wiltenmuth, E.B. 1996. Agonistic and sensory behaviour of the salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii
during asymmetric contests. Animal Behaviour 52: 841–850.
Zweifel, R.G. 1949. Comparison of food habits of Ensatina eschscholtzii and Aneides lugubris. Copeia
1949: 285–287.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
