A stocky, medium to large salamander. Terrestrial adults have a brownish black dorsum and bright red venter. The skin is grainy in appearance. Aquatic males (breeding season only) have a brownish dorsum with bright red venter, and a broad, dark strip across vent. The skin is smooth or slimy (Stebbins 1972; Petranka 1998). Snout to vent length of adults 5.9 to 8.1 cm (14-19.5 cm total length. Larvae are pond-type with incompletely developed or non-existent balancers and even, dark pigmentation on the sides and dorsum. A moderately high tail fin extends forward but does not reach the shoulders (Stebbins 1985; Petranka 1998).

Taricha rivularis may be distinguished from close relatives (T. granulosa and T. torosa) by relatively prominent eyes, brown iris, and bright red ventral coloration (Stebbins 1951; Petranka 1998).
 

See another account at californiaherps.com.