These large salamanders are marbled brown and tan in color when in their rare terrestrial (land-living) adult form. They are brown with yellowish-tan patches on

These large salamanders have an aquatic adult stage that is brown with yellowish-tan patches and short gills. The rare terrestrial adult is marbled brown and tan. Larvae of Cope’s giant salamander are smaller with a more narrow head and shorter legs than the coastal giant salamander. Both terrestrial and aquatic adults can grow up to eight inches in total length.

Most adult salamanders live in cold, fast-flowing, clear and permanent streams in coniferous forests. Adult salamanders need deep cobble and small boulder substrates to forage for prey and hide from predators.

Cope's giant salamander is an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the Coast Range, East Cascades and West Cascades ecoregions.

Photo by Jonathan Hakim