Shasta Salamander

The Shasta Salamander (Hydromantes shastae) is endemic to a small region of limestone caves strictly located in Shasta County, California. It has one of the most restricted geographic ranges of any salamander in the United States.

It is considered a critically endangered species due to its highly specialized habitat requirements and extremely limited range. Its primary threats include habitat destruction from human development and the raising of the Shasta Dam.

As a cave-adapted plethodontid, it lacks lungs and breathes entirely through its moist skin. This physiological adaptation requires it to live in the very humid, cool microclimates found deep within limestone fissures and caverns.

Yes, like other members of the Hydromantes genus, it has specialized toe webbing that functions like suction cups. This allows the salamander to easily climb vertical limestone cave walls to hunt for insects.