Amphibians of British Columbia

Of the 23 amphibian species found in this province, 15 of them are found nowhere else in Canada, as indicated in bold below. Many of these have ranges extending down into the coastal states of the USA. 

• Roughskin newt  
• Eastern long-toed salamander 
• Northern long-toed salamander 
• Western long-toed salamander 
• Northwestern salamander 
• Ensatina  
• Gray tiger salamander 
• Barred tiger salamander 
• Coastal giant salamander 
• Coeur D'Alene salamander 
• Ensatina 
• Western redback salamander 
• Coastal tailed frog 
• Rocky Mountain tailed frog 
• Boreal chorus frog 
• Pacific treefrog 
• Bullfrog (introduced) 
• Colombia spotted frog 
• Oregon sptted frog 
• Red-legged frog 
• Wood frog 
• Boreal toad 
• Great basin spadefoot Toad 

Western redback salamander photo http://www.rieo.net/amph/saramand/pleth/pleth/vehiculum.htm

Creature Feature

Roughskin Newt Taricha granulose

One of the most toxic newts in North America, these animals have a defensive posture of lifting the head, turning the tail straight up over their body and extending their limbs. This shows their bright underside, which warns would-be predators they are poisonous.

Generally it is light brown to black on top with a yellow or orange belly. Adults can grow to over 20 cm in total length.

-have rough, warty skin except during breeding season when males develop a smooth, slimy skin

-skin of both sexes becomes lighter in the breeding season

-may be seen hunting on land during humid autumn days

-prefer cold, permanent streams; may be found under debris, logs or underground

-garter snakes have evolved a resistance to their poison, and are one of their main predators

-have caused illness and death of people who have eaten them, and should not be handled with bare hands