Siskiyou Mountains Salamander
Plethodon stormi
Description: Long body, short limbs and a distinctive color: purple-brown with white speckles. Like most salamanders, the Siskiyou Mountains species (Plethodon stormi) is lungless, meaning it breathes through its skin.
Habitat: Siskiyou Mountains salamanders are aptly named for their limited range in the northern Siskiyous and Applegate River drainage. Within this area, their habitat is further limited to mature forests that have grown over rocky talus slopes, with dense canopy and plenty of moss to lock in the moisture.
Endangered Species Act listing status: Not protected.
Threats: Anything that disturbs the delicate old-growth-over-talus habitat, including tree harvest, road building, quarry development and even recreation. Erratic rainfall and drier conditions due to climate change will also impact the salamander, which requires moist conditions in order to breathe.
Estimated population: Because the Siskiyou Mountains Salamander only emerges from underground when it is dark and rainy, no population estimates exist. Sightings are rare. We do know that there are just 710 square miles of potential habitat for this endemic salamander species within the KS.
Superpower: This hyper-local worm-gobbler is an important KS Wild strategic partner. The Siskiyou Mountains Salamander has been our beloved mascot since the organization’s early days.
What’s being done? Petitions to list the Siskiyou Mountains salamander as either threatened or endangered were never approved. However, our efforts led to the development of a “Conservation Agreement” that guides conservation actions. We are closely monitoring timber sales which could allow the salamander’s habitat to be logged, and will make sure the KS Wild mascot receives the highest protection possible.
Help us protect imperiled species like the Siskiyou Mountains salamander by donating to our Wildlife Defense Fund. Donations to the fund go directly to conservation efforts to protect and defend threatened species and their habitats.