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Yellow-Blotched Ensatina

Yellow-Blotched Ensatina line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Yellow-Blotched Ensatina full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Yellow-Blotched Ensatina was completed on 1.9.2011. When I first came across an ensatina, I wasn't sure what it was! I knew it was a kind of salamander, but it doesn't have many of the typical characteristics I knew them to have. Since then, I've found many of the species local to the Bay Area, all will probably continue to add them to the image library. The drawing is based on a photo by Alice Abela.

Information about the Yellow-Blotched Ensatina:

The Yellow-Blotched Ensatina is a plethodontid salamander, growing to about 3 to 6 inches (7.5 - 15.5 cm.) They are native to the coniferous forests, oak woodlands and chaparral of the West Coast of the US, particularly in California. Their diet is varied, and consists of different small invertebrates like snails, worms, beetles, spiders and other insects. These amphibians are most active on rainy nights when temperatures are moderate, otherwise they hide under rocks, rotting logs or other forest substrate.