The ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii) is a species complex of plethodontid (lungless) salamanders[2] found in coniferous forests, oak woodland and chaparral[3] from British Columbia, through Washington, Oregon, across California (where all seven subspecies variations are located), all the way down to Baja California in Mexico.

The adult females lay eggs underground, often in sets of threes, which hatch directly into fully-formed salamanders, skipping the usual aquatic juvenile phase.

E. e. klauberi is similar in size to E. e. eschscholtzii; it is mid-sized, with adults growIng a total length of 3–6 in (7.6–15.2 cm).

However, populations were discovered along the coast in Volcán Riveroll, a volcanic area located in Baja California.

They are easily distressed by improper handling, because they rely on cutaneous respiration, their thin skin is very sensitive to heating, drying and exposure to chemicals from warm hands.