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. Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Subregnum Bilateria  Acoelomorpha  Orthonectida  Rhombozoa  Myxozoa  Superphylum Deuterostomia     Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascideiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders Subclass Labyrinthodontia - extinct Subclass Lepospondyli - extinct Subclass Lissamphibia   Urodela   Anura   Gymnophiona Amphibians (class Amphibia) are a group of animals that include all tetrapods (four-legged vertebrates) that do not have amniotic eggs. ... Families Salamander is the common name applied to approximately 350 amphibian vertebrates with slender bodies, short legs, and long tails (order Caudata or Urodela). ... Species Subfamily Desmognathinae Subfamily Plethodontinae Lungless salamanders (Family Plethodontidae) are salamanders which do not have lungs and instead conduct respiration through their skin and the tissues lining their mouth. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is a standard convention used for naming species. ... John Edward Gray (February 12, 1800 - March 7, 1875) was a British zoologist. ... 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Suborders Cryptobranchoidea Salamandroidea Sirenoidea Salamander is the common name applied to approximately 500 amphibian vertebrates with slender bodies, short legs, and long tails (order Caudata or Urodela). ... 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 (D) 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 (D) 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 (R) Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Baja California (highlighted) Alternative use: Baja California (state) Baja California or Lower California is a peninsula in the west of Mexico. ...

The Ensatina, which can be found many places including Santa Cruz, Monterey, and the Coastal 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.

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.

Subspecies

• Yellow Blotched Ensatina (E. e. croceater)
• Monterey Ensatina (E. e. eschscholtzii)
• Large Blotched Ensatina (E. e. klauberi)
• Oregon Ensatina (E. e. oregonensis)
• Painted Ensatina (E. e. picta)
• Sierra Nevada Ensatina (E. e. platensis)
• Yellow Eyed Ensatina (E. e. xanthoptica)

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/>