# Dunn's Salamander (*plethodon dunni*) The Dunn's Salamander is a small and colorful creature that loves to hide under rocks and logs. These slippery little friends are great at blending into their forest homes! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** They live in moist forests and under leaf litter in the Pacific Northwest. - **Also known as:** Dunn's Newt, Dunn's Plethodon, Pacific Dunn's Salamander ![Dunn's Salamander](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plethodon_dunni.jpg&width=800) Photo: Greg Schechter, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plethodon_dunni.jpg) ## Appearance The Dunn's Salamander is a slender amphibian, typically dark brown or black with a wavy yellow or greenish stripe running from its head down its back. Its underside is a mottled grey, and it possesses prominent bulging eyes. This distinct color pattern and sleek body shape help it blend into its rocky, stream-side habitat. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Plethodon ## Interesting facts - Female Dunn's Salamanders guard their eggs fiercely, staying with them until they hatch! - No lungs! Dunn's Salamanders breathe entirely through their skin and mouth lining, needing constant moisture. - These salamanders hatch as tiny versions of adults, completely skipping a tadpole stage! - They can sometimes live for over 25 years in captivity, making them tiny, long-lived amphibians! ## Special abilities - **Airy Skin:** Dunn's Salamander can absorb oxygen directly through its moist skin because it lacks lungs, helping it thrive in cool, damp environments. - **Super Snapper Tongue:** Dunn's Salamander has a lightning-fast, sticky tongue that helps them snatch unsuspecting insects and other tiny prey. - **Escape Artist Tail:** Dunn's Salamander can drop its tail if grabbed by a predator, because this allows them to escape while the predator is distracted. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7.5-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 5-20 ## Diet & Feeding They munch on tiny invertebrates like insects, spiders, and mites found in damp soil and stream beds. - **Primary Foods:** Springtails, Mites, Small spiders, Insect larvae, Ants, Isopods - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common snake predator in their wetland habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Coastal Giant Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coastal-giant-salamander) (*Dicamptodon tenebrosus*) — Larger salamanders sometimes prey on smaller ones. - **Shelter:** [Douglas Fir](https://www.snappit.app/explore/douglas-fir) (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) — Fallen logs and needles provide damp hiding spots. - **Hunts:** Wolf Spider (*Pardosa amentata*) — Small spiders are a common food source for them. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dunn's Salamander? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Dunn's Salamander? 7.5-15 cm ### How much does Dunn's Salamander weigh? 0.003-0.01 kg ### How long does Dunn's Salamander live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Dunn's Salamander move? 1.5 km/h ### What does Dunn's Salamander eat? They munch on tiny invertebrates like insects, spiders, and mites found in damp soil and stream beds. ### Where is Dunn's Salamander usually found? They live in moist forests and under leaf litter in the Pacific Northwest. ### How does Dunn's Salamander hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Clatsop State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clatsop-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Reed College Parkway](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/reed-college-parkway) — Oregon, US · Park ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Dunn's Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dunns-salamander)