Columbia Torrent Salamander (Rhyacotriton kezeri)

Common Name: Columbia Torrent Salamander
Scientific Name: Rhyacotriton kezeri
Family: Rhyacotritonidae – Torrent Salamander family
Location: US – Oregon and Washington
Size: 2 inches (5 cm) Snout to Vent length

The Columbia Torrent Salamander is found along the west coast of the US in old growth forests. They are threatened because of logging operations in these areas. This is why they are listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The whole family Rhyacotritonidae used to be just one species of salamander but the species was split into four different species, including the Columbia Torrent Salamander. The biology of the salamander isn’t as well known compared to the other torrent salamanders in the family.