California tiger salamanders require access to both aquatic and upland habitat throughout their life cycle. They use standing bodies of fresh water, like ponds, vernal pools and other ephemeral or permanent water bodies for breeding. These bodies of water must hold water for a minimum of 12 weeks to support the salamander larvae development. The salamanders also need access to upland habitat that contains small animal burrows or underground hideaways, including those constructed by California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) and valley pocket gopher (Thommomys bottae). The California tiger salamander uses these underground burrows for shelter and protection from predators and desiccation during nonbreeding periods. The burrows are also good locations to find insects to eat.

The California tiger salamander is an opportunistic hunter throughout all stages of its life. As larvae, the salamander feeds on zooplankton, small crustaceans and aquatic insects, moving toward larger prey such as the tadpoles of Sierran tree frog (Pseudacris sierra), western spadefoot toads (Spea hammondii), and California red-legged frogs (Rana draytonii) as they grow. Invertebrate prey items found in adult salamander stomachs include aphids (Aphididae), wood cockroaches (Blattellidae), ground beetles (Carabidae), springtails (Collembola), centipedes (Cryptopidae, Lithobiidae, and Scolopendridae), true weevils (Curculionidae), webspinners (Embioptera), wasps, bees and ants (Hymenoptera), woodlice (Isopoda), silverfish (Lepismatidae), wolf spiders (Lycosidae), owlet moths (Noctuidae), harvestmen (Opiliones), crickets (Rhaphidophoridae), scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae), earthworms (Annelidae) and crane flies (Tipulidae). 

The California tiger salamander is a large, stocky salamander with a broad, rounded snout. Their small eyes, which have black irises, protrude from their heads. Males are typically larger than females.

Measurements
Length: Adults average 6 to 9.5 in (16 to 24 cm)

The California tiger salamander have random white or yellowish spots or bars against a black body.

Adult California tiger salamanders leave their underground burrows and engage in mass migrations as they return to breeding ponds to mate during a few rainy nights per year. This mass migration is primarily from November through April. Males typically arrive before the females, and stay in the ponds longer than females. Males stay in ponds an average of 44.7 days, while females average 11.8 days in the ponds. The male deposits a spermatophore on the bottom of the pond, which the female picks up and uses to fertilize her eggs internally. Females then attach their eggs to twigs, grass stems or other vegetation or debris. The eggs hatch in 10 to 28 days into larvae. The larvae remain in the pond usually between three and six months, until they complete metamorphosis into juveniles. Once metamorphosis occurs, juveniles typically depart their birth ponds at night, primarily between May and July, and enter into upland habitat in search of underground burrows.

Hybridization with barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium) has become more common across California tiger salamander distinct population segments. The hybrids can produce viable and fertile offspring that exhibit higher survival rates than either pure California tiger salamanders or pure barred tiger salamanders. Hybrids and pure barred salamanders also prey on juvenile California tiger salamanders and outcompete individuals for food.

California tiger salamanders can live between 10 to 15 years.