List of amphibians of Canada facts for kids

Amphibians are amazing creatures that can live both in water and on land! They are a special group of animals that includes frogs, toads, and salamanders. In Canada, you can find many different kinds of amphibians, from tiny frogs that sing loudly to salamanders with bright colors.

These animals start their lives in water, often as eggs that hatch into larvae (like tadpoles). As they grow, they change, or "metamorphose," into their adult form, which can then live on land. However, even as adults, most amphibians need to stay moist, so they often live near water or in damp places.

Scientists keep track of how many of each animal species there are to make sure they are safe. Some amphibians are doing well, while others might need our help because their homes are disappearing or they are facing other dangers. This list shows you some of the cool amphibians that call Canada home!

Salamanders: The Long-Bodied Amphibians

Salamanders are amphibians that look a bit like lizards, but they have smooth, moist skin instead of scales. They often have long bodies, four legs, and a tail. Many salamanders live hidden away under rocks, logs, or in damp soil.

Different Kinds of Salamanders in Canada

Here are some of the salamanders you can find across Canada:

• Wandering salamander – Aneides vagrans
• Jefferson salamander – Ambystoma jeffersonianum
• Northwestern salamander – Ambystoma gracile
• Blue-spotted salamander – Ambystoma laterale
• Spotted salamander – Ambystoma maculatum
• Long-toed salamander – Ambystoma macrodactylum
• Barred tiger salamander – Ambystoma mavortium
• Small-mouth salamander – Ambystoma texanum
• Tiger salamander – Ambystoma tigrinum
• Dusky salamander – Desmognathus fuscus
• Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander – Desmognathus ochrophaeus
• Coastal giant salamander – Dicamptodon tenebrosus
• Ensatina – Ensatina eschscholtzii
• Northern two-lined salamander – Eurycea bislineata
• Spring salamander – Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
• Four-toed salamander – Hemidactylium scutatum
• Common mudpuppy – Necturus maculosus
• Eastern newt – Notophthalmus viridescens
• Red-backed salamander – Plethodon cinereus
• Coeur d’Alene salamander – Plethodon idahoensis
• Western redback salamander – Plethodon vehiculum
• Rough-skinned newt – Taricha granulosa

Frogs and Toads: The Jumping Amphibians

Frogs and toads are known for their powerful jumping legs and their ability to make many different sounds. Frogs usually have smooth, moist skin and live closer to water, while toads often have drier, warty skin and can live in drier places.

Different Kinds of Frogs and Toads in Canada

Here are some of the frogs and toads you might find hopping around in Canada:

• Blanchard's cricket frog – Acris crepitans blanchardi
• Coastal tailed frog – Ascaphus truei
• Rocky Mountain tailed frog – Ascaphus montanus
• American toad – Anaxyrus americanus
• Western toad – Anaxyrus boreas
• Great Plains toad – Anaxyrus cognatus
• Fowler's toad – Anaxyrus fowleri
• Canadian toad – Anaxyrus hemiophrys
• Cope's gray treefrog – Hyla chrysoscelis
• Gray treefrog – Hyla versicolor
• Northern red-legged frog – Rana aurora
• Cascades frog – Rana cascadae
• Columbia spotted frog – Rana luteiventris
• Oregon spotted frog – Rana pretiosa
• American bullfrog – Lithobates catesbeianus
• Northern green frog – Lithobates clamitans
• Pickerel frog – Lithobates palustris
• Northern leopard frog – Lithobates pipiens
• Mink frog – Lithobates septentrionalis
• Wood frog – Lithobates sylvaticus
• Spring peeper – Pseudacris crucifer
• Boreal chorus frog – Pseudacris maculata
• Pacific tree frog – Pseudacris regilla
• Western chorus frog – Pseudacris triseriata
• Plains spadefoot toad – Spea bombifrons
• Great Basin spadefoot – Spea intermontana

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Anfibios de Canadá para niños