Range in California: Red
Range Map of Southern Sierra
Nevada Slender Salamanders
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Adult, Fresno County |
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Adult, Fresno County |
Adult, Fresno County |
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Below are comparisons with slender salamanders in or near the range of B. regius.
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B. kawia / B. regius
No obvious differences in size.
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B. diabolicus / B. regius
No obvious differences in size.
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B. gregarius / B. regius
B. gregarius is obviously slimmer with smaller feet and toes. |
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Habitat, Kings River, Fresno County
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Habitat, 1,100 ft., Fresno County |
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Description |
| Size |
| Adults are 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches long (3.2 - 3.5 cm) from snout to vent. |
| Appearance |
A small plethodontid salamander, which breathes through smooth moist thin skin. 18-19 costal grooves. Short limbs, a narrow head, long slender body, very long tail, and conspicuous costal and caudal grooves give this species the worm-like appearance typical of most Slender Salamanders. 4 toes on front and hind feet, also typical of Slender Salamanders. (Other California salamanders have 5 toes on the hind feet.)
Color is blackish above with little pattern. A dorsal stripe is usually present, but it may so close to the dorsal coloring that it is not apparent. Sometimes the stripe is broad and light brown to tan. Venter is a gray that is much lighter than other coloring. The head is relatively broad with a distinct neck. Many faded white spots on the back and sides.
Occurs in sympatry in some locations with B. gregarius. In comparison, B. gregarius has a narrower head, shorter limbs, |
| Behavior |
Most Batrachoseps are active on rainy or wet nights when temperatures are moderate, fall through spring, retreating underground when the soil dries or when the air temperature drops to near freezing. At higher elevations, activity may be restricted to spring and early summer and early fall.
Found under rocks, logs, bark, and other debris. Batrachoseps species, when disturbed, may coil up and remain still, then uncoil quickly and spring away, repeatedly bouncing over the ground. The tail is easily broken off, but it can be regenerated. Batrachoseps are generally sit-and-wait predators. |
| Diet |
| Eats a variety of small invertebrates. |
| Reproduction |
| Batrachoseps lay eggs in moist places on land. Young hatch fully formed. |
| Range |
| Endemic to California. Found in the lower drainage of the Kings River from around 1,100 - 8,100 ft. (335 - 2,470m) |
| Habitat |
| Inhabits shaded areas of mixed chaparral, oak, and pines. |
| Taxonomic Notes |
| Prior to its description in 1998, B. regius was identified as B. pacificus. |
| Conservation Issues (Conservation Status) |
| Listed as vulnerable or imperiled, probably due to it's limited habitat at high altitudes where amphibians are generally imperiled. |
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Taxonomy |
| Family |
Plethodontidae |
Lungless Salamanders |
| Genus |
Batrachoseps |
Slender Salamanders |
Species
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regius |
Kings River Slender Salamander |
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Original Description |
Jockusch, E. L., D. B. Wake, and K. P. Yanev. "New species of slender salamanders, Batrachoseps
(Amphibia: Plethodontidae), from the Sierra Nevada of California." Contributions in Science, Natural History
Museum of Los Angeles County, #472 1998.
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Meaning of the Scientific Name |
Batrachoseps: Greek - amphibian, frog lizard - describes lizard-like appearance.
regius: Latin - king, in reference to the region of the Kings River, the type locality.
from Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained © Ellin Beltz
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Alternate Names |
Formerly recognized as Batrachoseps pacificus.
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Similar Neighboring Salamanders |
B. gregarius
B. relictus
B. kawia
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More Information and References |
Natureserve Explorer
California Dept. of Fish and Game
AmphibiaWeb
Jockusch, E. L., D. B. Wake, and K. P. Yanev. "New species of slender salamanders, Batrachoseps (Amphibia: Plethodontidae), from the Sierra Nevada of California." Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, #472 1998.
Stebbins, Robert C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.
Behler, John L., & F. Wayne King. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.
Bishop, Sherman C. Handbook of Salamanders. Cornell University Press, 1943.
Petranka, James W. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution, 1998.
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The following status listings come from the Special Animals List which is published several times each year by the California Department of Fish and Game.
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Organization
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Status Listing
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| U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) |
None |
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| California Endangered Species Act (CESA) |
None |
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| California Department of Fish and Game |
None |
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| Bureau of Land Management |
None |
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| USDA Forest Service |
None |
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| Natureserve Global Conservation Status Ranks |
G1 |
Critically Imperiled |
World Conservation Union - IUCN Red List
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IUCN:VU |
Vulnerable |
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