Step 2A
Key to Families of Caudata (Salamanders and Newts)
Choose the description that best fits the animal of interest. If none
fit go back to step one.
A. Aquatic salamander with feathery red gills, gray to rusty brown with
dark spots, four toes on hind feet, if small there is a yellow stripe
down the back in addition to the gills, 2 - 49 cm total length
Proteidae (Mudpuppy Family)
one species in Canada: Necturus maculosus (Mudpuppy)
B. Aquatic salamander with gills, not red, five toes on hind feet, no
red spots, up to 40 cm total length
Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamander Family)
C. Either terrestrial or aquatic without gills, costal grooves
indistinct, may have rough-textured skin, spots small or not present, no
larger than 18 cm total length
Salamandridae (Newt Family)
D. Terrestrial or aquatic, robust body, head not blunt, costal grooves
indistinct, brown to purplish with bold black blotches, no tubercles on
feet, extreme southwestern British Columbia only
Dicamptodontidae (Pacific Mole Salamander Family)
one species in Canada: Dicamptodon tenebrosus (Pacific Giant Salamander)
E. Terrestrial or aquatic without gills, robust body, blunt head, no
groove between lip and nostrils, costal grooves prominent, up to 40 cm
total length
Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamander Family)
F. Terrestrial or aquatic without gills, long and slender, or robust,
small narrow slit between nostril and upper lip (may require magnifying
glass to see in small individuals), costal grooves prominent, no larger
than 22 cm total length
Plethodontidae (Lungless Salamander Family)
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