Species Information
Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander
| Status |
Endangered Species  Endangered Species: species that have a very small population and are at risk of extinction in the wild. |
| Listed | March 11, 1967 |
| Family |
Ambystoma (Salamander) |
| Description | Dark, stout-bodied salamander with a broad head and blunt snout |
| Habitat | Shallow, vegetated ponds for breeding: moist soils in chaparral or forested upland areas in summer |
| Food | Omnivorous |
| Reproduction | 200 eggs laid singly |
| Threats |
Loss of habitat |
| Range | California |
| Status |
Endangered Species: species that have a very small population and are at risk of extinction in the wild. |
| Listed | March 11, 1967 |
| Family |
Ambystoma (Salamander) |
| Description | Dark, stout-bodied salamander with a broad head and blunt snout |
| Habitat | Shallow, vegetated ponds for breeding: moist soils in chaparral or forested upland areas in summer |
| Food | Omnivorous |
| Reproduction | 200 eggs laid singly |
| Threats |
Loss of habitat |
| Range | California |
The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) is a species of mole salamander found in the coastal mountains of central and northern California. It is a medium-sized salamander, reaching up to seven inches in total length. It has a slender, streamlined body, with a long tail and a distinctively patterned head. Its back is a mottled gray-brown, and its underside is a pale yellow or orange. Its long toes give it its name, as do its long claws.
The salamander is found in a variety of moist habitats, including redwood forests, chaparral, and coastal scrub. It can be found in both permanent and temporary ponds and streams, as well as in slow-moving creeks. Adults feed on small invertebrates, such as worms, snails, insects, and spiders. The larvae feed on small aquatic organisms, such as algae and invertebrates.
The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is listed as endangered and is a California Species of Special Concern. It is at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and fragmentation. It is also threatened by pollution, such as sedimentation and pesticides. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this species and its habitat by redesigning ponds and providing piped water from nearby wells to maintain water levels in dry years as well as efforts to breed in captivity and release offspring to the native habitat.