Batrachoseps attenuatus, commonly known as the California Slender Salamander, is native to the western coastal region of North America. It is primarily found in California, USA, with a range extending from Humboldt County in the north to Monterey County in the south. The species is also found in some parts of southern Oregon.

The California Slender Salamander inhabits moist, shaded environments typical of coastal and inland forests. It is commonly found in redwood, mixed coniferous, and oak woodlands. The species favors areas with high humidity and consistent moisture, typically beneath leaf litter, logs, rocks, and other debris.

Batrachoseps attenuatus occupies the ecological niche of a terrestrial or fossorial salamander, relying heavily on the microhabitats of moist forest floors for survival. It plays a role in the ecosystem as both a predator and prey, feeding on small invertebrates and in turn being preyed upon by birds, mammals, and larger amphibians. Adaptations such as its slender body and reduced limbs assist it in wriggling through soil and dense leaf litter to escape predators and find food.