According to Idaho State University, the long-toed salamander, or Ambystoma macrodactylum, is the most common salamander in Idaho. This species live in northern and central Idaho. Long-toed salamanders dwell in myriad habitats, including rocky ledges, dry and humid forests, and the shores of mountain lakes. During the fall and winter, this salamander hibernates underground; it emerges during breeding season in the spring. Long-toed salamanders can be identified by their yellow dorsal stripe from nose to tail. The rest of their skin is black or gray.
A subspecies of the tiger salamander, blotched tiger salamanders receive their name from the black stripes on their dorsal area and legs. Between the stripes, blotched tiger salamanders have greenish and gray spots. The scientific name for blotched tiger salamanders is Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum. In Idaho, populations of this salamander species are found in the eastern region. The stripes on blotched tiger salamanders are thinner than those on other tiger salamander subspecies. Blotched tiger salamanders usually live and nest near aquatic areas such as slow-moving streams and lakes.
The largest salamander species in Idaho is the Idaho giant salamander, or Dicamptodon aterrimus. Adults reach lengths of up to 8 inches. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Idaho giant salamander is only found in northern Idaho and western Montana. This species has have dark skin with tan speckles throughout the length of the body. The primary habitat is moist areas of coniferous forests and in mountainous regions; Idaho giant salamanders can be found at elevations above 7,000 feet.
Name after Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho, the native range of the Coeur d'Alene salamander, or Plethodon idahoensis, is northern Idaho, western Montana and southern British Columbia. This salamander has a reddish-orange dorsal strip running from its nose to tail. Unlike other salamander species, Coeur d'Alene salamanders breed during the fall, right before they go into hibernation. Damp forests and aquatic areas are the chief habitats for the Coeur d'Alene salamander. This species is a lungless salamander, meaning respiration comes through the skin and not through lungs.