Cope's giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei) is a species of salamander in the family Dicamptodontidae, the Pacific giant salamanders.Behler, J. L. and F. W. King. (1979) National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, Knopf, It is native to Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
Description This species can attain lengths up to 19.5 centimeters. It exhibits neoteny rarely undergoing metamorphosis to the adult form, and resembles the larvae of similar salamander species. It usually becomes sexually, but not physically, mature. It is gold and brown in color. The costal grooves are inconspicuous. It has a rounded snout and the laterally compressed, fin-like tail of a typical larva. It retains its gills.Hallock, L. A. and McAllister, K. R. 2009. Cope's Giant Salamander. Washington Herp Atlas.
Behavior Little is known about the species' habitat requirements, but it has been found in mountain pools and streams.Dicamptodon copei. AmphibiaWeb. 2016. It feeds on smaller animals, such as fish, amphibians and their eggs, including the larvae of its own species.
The female lays a clutch of around 50 and up to 115 eggs in wet habitat near water bodies. She guards them and possibly defends them aggressively.
Conservation The range of this species extends from the Olympic Peninsula to northern Oregon. Its populations are likely stable to slightly declining. Threats include water temperature change and silt from nearby logging operations.NatureServe. 2015. Dicamptodon copei. NatureServe Explorer Version 7.1. Accessed 25 June 2016.
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