variegatus are forests with fresh water sources that meet all of their habitat requirements. Some Rhyacotriton species are found more inland, but they are still relatively close to the coast these are mainly populations of R. variegatus are found in forests of the coastal regions of the states. variegatus is endemic to the southernmost part of the range, extending from California to Oregon. The genus Rhyacotriton is found in the Pacific Northwest, extending from Northern California to the Olympic Peninsula. Generally, they have blunt noses and protruding eyes. At the base of the leg, they have four toes used to grip and climb. They have four legs, set in pairs – two close to the head, and two near the base of the tail. Their bodies are slender, with long tails about the same length as their torsos. Lungs of the adults are also reduced in appearance. Males are distinguished from the females by their square cloacal lobes. Their eyes face forwards and are large and dark, and metallic flecks surround the eyes. The colors vary by shades the dorsal sides range from dark olive to a dark brown. Their ventral sides are more yellow, with the same spots as the dorsal sides. On their dorsal sides, they are brown with darker spots.
The southern torrent salamanders are small salamanders mature adults measure from 1.5–2.4 inches snout to vent. Adults and juveniles are subject to moisture loss as well as heat shock. variegatus adults can venture away from the stream, but they prefer the water, only coming out when the moisture level of the ground is high enough. All species of Rhyacotriton have aquatic eggs and larvae, and adults are semi-aquatic. These water sources are found mostly in forests, which is where R. variegatus are cool, shallow, high in oxygen, and slow-flowing, such as seeps and mountain brooks, with coarse, gravel-like beds. variegatus has the lowest desiccation tolerance of all North American salamanders, meaning they cannot easily withstand “extreme” temperatures and low moisture levels. Through adulthood individuals live on the waters edge among pebbles and rocks.
variegatus lives in aquatic environments from egg through metamorphic stages. The species in the genus Rhyacotriton are all similar in morphology, but have high genetic diversity. It is preyed on by Pacific giant salamanders and garter snakes. Although it is found over a large area, it is not a migratory creature. This species feeds on small insects and spiders.
They reach sexual maturity 1.0-1.5 yr after metamorphosis which occurs between 4.5 and 5.0 yr. The larval stage, from hatching to metamorphosis, lasts 2.0-2.5 yr, with females requiring another 1.5–2.0 yr until they can first breed. The time it takes from oviposition to reach sexual maturity ranges from five to eight years, making the generation interval rather long. The species reproduces annually, with an extended courtship and egg-laying period. All species of Rhyacotriton are small, with their body lengths being less than 5 inches. It is one of four species of Rhyacotriton, along with R. It is a small salamander endemic to the Pacific Northwest from Northern California to Northern Oregon. This species of torrent salamander is found the farthest south in the region. The southern torrent salamander ( Rhyacotriton variegatus) is a member of the salamander family Rhyacotritonidae.