# Ensatina (*Ensatina eschscholtzii*) Ensatinas are colorful little salamanders that live in damp places. They have smooth skin and can be found hiding under rocks or logs in the forest. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Ensatina](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ensatina_eschscholtzii_xanthoptica_%28Yellow-eyed_Ensatina%29_03.jpg&width=800) Photo: JLAuckle, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ensatina_eschscholtzii_xanthoptica_%28Yellow-eyed_Ensatina%29_03.jpg) ## Appearance The Ensatina is a medium-sized salamander with smooth, moist skin, typically reddish-brown or orange, often with dark spots or blotches. It has prominent eyes and a distinctive constriction at the base of its tail, helping it detach easily. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Plethodontidae - **Genus:** Ensatina ## Interesting facts - Instead of tadpoles, ensatina eggs hatch directly into tiny, fully formed salamanders! - Some ensatinas perfectly copy toxic newts, tricking predators into thinking they are dangerous! - These salamanders are amazing architects, digging burrows for safety and cool, damp shelter. - They use their tongues like sticky harpoons to snatch up tiny insects and worms for dinner! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield:** Ensatina has special glands that release a sticky, milky toxin when threatened, making it unappetizing to predators. - **Tail Trickster:** Ensatina can detach its tail to distract predators, wiggling after separation to draw attention away from the escape. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 0.05 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-25 ## Diet & Feeding Ensatinas are small hunters, gobbling up tiny creepy crawlies they find on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Slugs, Snails, Ants, Beetles, Spiders, Worms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common snake that preys on salamanders. - **Hunts:** [Earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Actively searches for this juicy prey in soil. - **Hunts:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — A slow-moving meal found among leaf litter. - **Eaten by:** [Long-tailed Weasel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-tailed-weasel) (*Mustela frenata*) — Sometimes eaten by this quick forest hunter. ## Traits - [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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Toxic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/toxic): Toxic organisms contain substances that are poisonous and can cause adverse effects upon exposure. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching any wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ensatina? 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 Ensatina? 7-15 cm ### How much does Ensatina weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Ensatina live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Ensatina move? 0.05 km/h ### What does Ensatina eat? Ensatinas are small hunters, gobbling up tiny creepy crawlies they find on the forest floor. ### Where is Ensatina usually found? Forests ### How does Ensatina hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Arcata Community Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arcata-community-forest) — California, US · Forest - [Clatsop State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clatsop-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Headwaters Forest Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headwaters-forest-reserve) — California, US · Forest - [Leach Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leach-botanical-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Ensatina](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ensatina) ## 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: [Ensatina: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ensatina)