There are four species of small salamanders in this family. They are all found in the western United States in California, Oregon, and Washington, usually in the Cascade Mountains.

They are 3-5 inches in length and have small heads and short tails. They are usually brown with yellow undersides. They have 14-15 costal grooves.

Torrent salamanders live in cold, fast-moving brooks and streams in moist, coniferous, old-growth forests. Both the adults and the larvae live in the water, but the adults may spend time on the forest floor. They are very sensitive to heat and can die if the temperature is too high.

Eggs are fertilized internally, and the female lays single eggs in the water underneath stones. The larvae take up to four years to become adults.