However, even in seemingly suitable habitats it may be absent and therefore other factors may play a part in distribution. With the aid of a torch and long cocktail stick, Erik Keyster and myself were able to capture a number of these salamanders in a sandstone rock area at 3,000m elevation in southern Tennessee this year. These ranged in sized from a 30mm juvenile to a large 130mm male. A fairly common species where it occurs although it seems to be absent from seemingly suitable habitat within its range. The dorsum is dark brown or black with a silvery gray or green lichen-like pattern.
Juveniles possess a coppery or red tail stripe and are slimmer than the adults.
There is some variation between different areas and apparently in some populations the silvery markings are greatly reduced or reddish marking may be present. Eyes possess a golden upper iris. Occurs from northwest Sonoma county in northern California to the western slope of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon. A large population occurs on the island of Vancouver which is thought to be an isolated relict or possibly even introduced. Moisture is important to the activity of these salamanders because on previous trips during drier times I have never observed these salamanders.