Species Reptiles & AmphibiansCoastal Giant Salamander

Coastal Giant Salamander

Dicamptodon tenebrosus

UncommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Coastal Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus)

The Coastal Giant Salamander is one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in the world. Many populations are permanently neotenic, retaining gills as adults. It is a fierce predator and will bite strongly if disturbed.

Habitat
Cold, clear mountain streams in old-growth coniferous forests of the Pacific Coast
Diet
Fish, smaller salamanders, and large invertebrates
How common
Uncommon

Recent Coastal Giant Salamander sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Coastal Giant Salamander? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More reptiles & amphibians

African Clawed Frog
African Clawed Frog
Xenopus laevis
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander
Desmognathus ochrophaeus
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii
American Alligator
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
American Bullfrog
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
American Crocodile
American Crocodile
Crocodylus acutus
American Toad
American Toad
Anaxyrus americanus
Arboreal Salamander
Arboreal Salamander
Aneides lugubris