Ensatina eschscholtzii (commonly known by its genus name, Ensatina) is a species of salamander with a range stretching from British Columbia, through Washington, Oregon, across California (where all seven subspecies variations are located), all the way down to Baja in Mexico. This page is about the animal, salamander. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Splendour without diminishment) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Area 944,735 km² (5th)  - Land 925,186 km²  - Water 19,549 km² (2. ... State nickname: The Evergreen State Other U.S. States Capital Olympia Largest city Seattle Governor Christine Gregoire Official languages None Area 184,824 km² (18th)  - Land 172,587 km²  - Water 12,237 km² (6. ... State nickname: Beaver State Other U.S. States Capital Salem Largest city Portland Governor Ted Kulongoski Official languages None Area 255,026 km² (9th)  - Land 248,849 km²  - Water 6,177 km² (2. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Baja is: Baja California, a peninsula in North America Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur, states of Mexico Baja, a city in Hungary Baja Verapaz, a department of Guatemala Subaru Baja, a car manufactured by Subaru Baja 1000, an off road race. ...

The Ensatina, which can be found many places including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and the Costal Mountains, is the subspecies E. e. eschscholtzii, or Monterey Ensatina. They reach a total length of three to five inches, and can be identified primarily by the structure of the tail, and how it is narrower at the base. These particular salamanders are the only type that have that particular type of tail and five toes on the back feet.

Males often have longer tails than the females, and many of the salamanders have lighter colored limbs in comparison to the rest of the body. The salamanders lay their eggs underground, often in threes, which then hatch directly into salamanders, skipping the usual aquatic phase. They can usually be seen in their immature phase, which is terrestrial. When they are strictly aquatic again, they are mature and usually ready to breed.

The ensatina can usually be found under logs, brush, by or in streams and lakes, and in other moist places. Please be aware that touching them does cause them harm, as the grease from your fingers clogs their pores, which they use to breathe.

References

“Ensatina Page”, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th St. SE, Jamestown, ND 58401 USA, Viewed April 24, 2005, Updated last: November 12, 2004, <http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/narcam/>