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. The dorsum ranges from inky black without markings in Aneides f.flavipunctatus to black with lots of silvery,yellow or rarely gold speckles in Aneides flavipunctatus niger . Juveniles of the latter subspecies have similar patterning interrupted by black bars.
Juveniles are more streamlined than adults with a proportionally larger head.
This species ranges from the Santa Cruz Mountains in central-west California to southwest Oregon. When I discovered this species in the San Franciscan Bay area, it was always found beneath logs nestled on streams that had run dry but still retained some degree of moisture. Even when captured they made no attempt to escape. Its slim body ranges from dark brown to bronze with dark-green or grey patches. Toe tips are rounded and the belly is lightish grey or sometimes cream.