Coeur d'Alene Salamander {Plethodon idahoensis) 



Description: 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. A yellow throat patch is usually present. Coeur d'Alene Salamanders 

 have relatively long legs and short, stubby toes. The adult has a body length of 5-6.5 cm. 

 Adult Coeur d'Alene Salamanders have the longest toe on the hind foot shorter than the sole 

 of the hind foot; a nasolabial groove running vertically from nostril to mouth (may require 

 magnification to see); and 14-15 costal grooves on side of body. 



Eggs and Larvae: 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. 



Similar Species: Long-toed Salamanders have the longest toe on the hind foot longer thatn the 

 sole of the foot and lack both a yellow throat patch and a groove nmning vertically from the 

 nostril to the mouth. 



Habitat and Habits: Coeur d'Alene 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 d'Alene 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. The Coeur d'Alene Salamander is 

 a member of the Plethodontidae, the only group of lungless salamanders in North America. 

 They respire through the skin and mouth, having an especially rich vascular area in the throat 

 region. 



Surveying: Dimng 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 foimd 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 carefiilly. 

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

 etal. 1994). 



Status: Coeur d'Alene Salamanders are rare and locally distributed in suitable habitat in 

 northwestern Montana (Cassirer et al. 1994). This species is relatively widespread on the 

 Kootenai National Forest (Werner and Reichel 1994), but has been found at only a single site 

 on the BNF: Sweathouse Creek on the Stevensville District (Center et al. 1988). This 

 species was not encountered during the 1995 survey. They are a Forest Service Sensitive 

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

 Program. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G3Q S2. 



