At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The California tiger salamander is a stocky black-and-yellow salamander that breeds in seasonal pools. It is assessed (in parts of its range) as Vulnerable to Endangered.
It spends much of the year underground in burrows.
Range & habitat
Grasslands and oak woodlands of California, USA.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Loss of breeding pools and habitat
- Hybridisation with introduced salamanders
- Roads and development
Why it matters
A burrow-dwelling salamander dependent on vanishing seasonal wetlands, the California tiger salamander is a flagship for protecting California's grasslands and vernal pools.
Sources
Sources for California Tiger Salamander
- IUCN Red List — look up California Tiger Salamander (authoritative status)
- AmphibiaWeb (UC Berkeley)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the California tiger salamander spend most of its life?
Underground, often in burrows dug by ground squirrels and other animals, emerging mainly in the rainy season to breed in temporary pools.
Why is the California tiger salamander threatened?
Published assessments cite the loss of breeding pools and habitat, hybridisation with introduced salamanders, and roads and development. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: