The California slender salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus) is a lungles samander that is found primarily in coastal mountain areas of northern California as well as in a limited part of the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mts, in patches of the northern central valley of California, and in extreme southwestern Oregon.
Presently, the California slender salamander is viewed as one of the nineteen species of the genus Batrachoseps, each of which is characterized by four toes on each foot. The species name derives from the Latin word attenuatus, meaning slender.
This salamander is typically seven to thirteen centimeters in total length and very slender with very small legs. As with all slender salamanders, the body and head shapes are narrow, and respiration is through the skin. There are between eighteen and twenty-one costal grooves, conspicuous in appearance, lending a worm-like character to this species. Typical coloration is black, with a stripe that is reddish or brown on top with minute whitish dots on a dark underside. B. attenuatus is characterized by moist skin of notable thinness. They usually hide under pieces of wood or rocks, in nooks and crannies, or other places that have a semi-moist environment.
![Slender Salamander]()
This geocache is placed just off the trail about 1.2 miles up the Discovery Trail in the Pismo Preserve. It is a great hike with spectacular views. You may be tempted to go for the cache from the trail below the cache, but it is much easier to approach from the trail above. Take care not to disurb the plant life. Please re-hide the cache as found.