Range in California: Red
Range Map of Southern Sierra
Nevada Slender Salamanders
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Adult, Kern County |
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Adult, Madera County |
Underside of adult, Madera County |
Adult, Tulare County |
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Below are comparisons of 4 Slender Salamanders
that occur in or near the range of B. gregarius.
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Comparison of B. gregarius with B. relictus (bottom.) Note the larger, more robust body and limbs on B. relictus.
© 2004 Brad Alexander |
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Comparison of B. gregarius (top) sympatric B. kawia (bottom) Note the larger, more robust body and limbs on B. kawia |
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Habitat, Kern County |
Habitat, 1,200 ft. Mariposa County |
Habitat, 3,800 ft. Kern County |
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Habitat, 4,700 ft. Mariposa County
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Description |
| Size |
| Adults are 1 1/5 - 1 4/5 inches long (3 - 4.6 cm) from snout to vent. |
| Appearance |
| A slim small plethodontid salamander, which breathes through smooth moist thin skin. 17-19 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.) Dark blackish-brown ground color with a lighter brownish dorsal stripe with tan highlights and dark flecks. Many small white spots mark the ground color. The venter is lighter, dark to pale gray. |
| 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. Found under rocks, logs, bark, and other debris. Batrachoseps, 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. Probably a sit-and-wait predator. Occurs in sympatry with B. kawia, and possibly with B. relictus, B. regius, and B. diabolicus. |
| Diet |
| Most likely, eats a variety of small invertebrates. |
| Reproduction |
| Eggs are laid in communal nests in the spring (fall in southern populations) in moist places underground. Young hatch fully formed. |
| Range |
| Endemic to California. Occurs along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from the southern boundary of Yosemite National Park almost to the kern River. |
| Habitat |
| Found in varying habitats, from high-elevation coniferous forests, open woodlands, grasslands, to the floor of the Central Valley, including very hot and dry habitats at the southern end of its range. From around 1000 - 5,900 ft. (300 - 1800 m.) |
| Taxonomic Notes |
| Prior to its description in 1998, B. gregarius was recognized as B. nigriventris. Lower elevation southern populations are more slender, and live in much drier habitats, laying eggs in the fall, and might be distinct enough to be considered a separate species. |
| Conservation Issues (Conservation Status) |
| Listed as imperiled by one organization, though there are no apparent issues with this salamander. |
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Taxonomy |
| Family |
Plethodontidae |
Lungless Salamanders |
| Genus |
Batrachoseps |
Slender Salamanders |
Species
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gregarius |
Gregarious 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.
gregarius: Latin - flock or herd, referring to the habit of laying eggs communally.
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 nigriventris - Black-bellied Slender Salamander.
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Similar Neighboring Salamanders |
B. diabolicus
B. regius
B. kawia
B. relictus
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More Information and References |
Natureserve Explorer
California Dept. of Fish and Game
AmphibiaWeb
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 |
G2 |
Imperiled |
World Conservation Union - IUCN Red List
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IUCN:LC |
Least Concern |
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