Ensatina salamander

The ensatina was named for its habit of brandishing its tail like a sword. When threatened, the salamander straightens its legs to their full height, arches its back slightly, and points its tail in the air. The tail is packed full of poison glands and detaches very easily, allowing the animal to escape while its opponent deals with a writhing, oozing tail. Ensatina salamander has no lungs, breathes through skin..The large, dark eyes of the ensatina help it to hunt in burrows, dead logs and debris piles.