- Where to see one
- 4 U.S. zoos in our directory hold california tiger salamander, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
Conservation status
Not Evaluated
This species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List, so it sits outside the threat scale entirely.
About the california tiger salamander
The California tiger salamander is a large, secretive mole salamander endemic to California. Adults reach about 7 to 8 inches in total length and are stocky and black with yellow or cream spots, with a broad rounded snout. Historically native to the San Joaquin-Sacramento river valleys, it now survives in three genetically distinct population segments. It breeds in fishless vernal pools and seasonal or stock ponds, and adults migrate to them at night with the first major rains of fall and winter. Most of an adult's life is spent underground in burrows made by animals such as ground squirrels and gophers, although the species is poorly equipped for digging.
California Tiger Salamander facts
- Adults spend most of their lives in burrows dug by other animals, such as ground squirrels and gophers.
- True estivation has never been observed, although the underground phase was long called that.
- It has hybridized with the introduced barred tiger salamander for 50 to 60 years.
- Larvae are greenish-grey, while adults are black with yellow or cream spots.
Where to see california tiger salamander in the U.S.
4 zoos across 2 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 4 zoos holding california tiger salamander by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
