Coeur d' Alene Salamander (Plethodon idahoensis) 



Description: The Coeur d' Alene salamander is a member of the Plethodontidae, the only group 

 of lungless salamanders in North America and the only amphibians which lay their eggs out 

 of water. They respire through the skin having an especially rich vascular area in the throat 

 region. Adults are usually dark gray to black with a green, red, yellow, or orange stripe down 

 the middle of the back. The stripe typically has irregular edges, but some individuals may 

 have even edges. Coeur dAlene salamanders have relatively long legs and short, stubby toes. 

 The adult has a snout-vent length of 2-2.4". Adult Coeur dAlene salamanders can be 

 distinguished from other Montana species by a combination of: 1) the longest toe on the hind 

 foot which is shorter than the sole of the hind foot; 2) a nasolabial groove running vertically 

 from nostril to mouth (may require magnification to see); and 3) 14-15 costal grooves on side 

 of body. The egg cluster contains between 7-12 small yolked eggs. There is no larval stage 

 and the newly hatched young resemble the adults in coloration. 



Habitat and Habits: Coeur dAlene salamanders are very habitat restricted (Cassirer et al. 1994). 

 They are found in springs or seeps, waterfall spray zones, and at the edges of streams. Nearly 

 all sites have fractured rock formations present and nearby habitat is typically forested. 

 Coeur dAlene salamanders move far down into the interstitial spaces between rocks for 

 protection from desiccation during dry summer months and freezing during the winter 

 (Wilson and Larsen 1988). Mating takes place in both late summer and spring (Lynch 1984). 

 Eggs presumably are laid far down in the rocks, and juveniles are terrestrial. Unlike all other 

 salamanders in Montana, no aquatic-larval stage is present. 



Surveying: During the spring, early summer and fall, adults may be seen in springs or seeps, 

 waterfall spray zones, and at the edges of streams. They are most easily found on rainy 

 nights when the air temperature exceeds 7° C. During the day they may be found by turning 

 over rocks and other litter in and along wet areas; it may take 30 minutes or more to find a 

 single individual during the day. Surveys may disturb or destroy habitat if not done 

 carefully. During dry or cold periods adults move down into the rocks and may not be found 

 (Cassirer et al. 1994). 



Status: Coeur dAlene salamanders are rare and locally distributed in suitable habitat on the KNF 

 and elsewhere in northwestern Montana (Cassirer et al. 1994). They have been found in four 

 of the six districts of the KNF (Cabinet, Three Rivers, Libby and Rexford) with 4 new 

 localities being reported during this survey. The new localities were in seep-type habitats 

 along Quartz Creek, Marten Creek, Little North Fork of Big Creek, and on the west side of 

 Lake Koocanusa several miles north of Big Creek (Appendix 5). They are a Forest Service 

 Sensitive Species and listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Montana Natural Heritage 

 Program and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G3Q S2. 



