The Columbia torrent salamander occurs in southwestern Washington and northern Oregon. In Washington, it occurs from the mouth of the Columbia River through the Willapa Hills, and north to the Chehalis River. During rainy seasons, they are occasionally found on land away from streams. Cool Biology Facts. All torrent salamanders have a larval stage with tiny external gills, but lose the gills at metamorphosis.
Adults have very reduced lungs and breathe mostly through their skin.
Torrent salamanders live and breed in clear, cold, fast-flowing streams with rock or gravel bottoms. They can be very common in appropriate habitats. However, they are extremely sensitive to stream siltation and warming caused by excessive logging and other human activities. Photograph by Brad Moon.