List of amphibians of Michigan facts for kids

The state of Michigan, and its location in the United States

Michigan is home to twenty-six different kinds of amphibians. These amazing creatures include twelve types of frog, twelve types of salamander, and two types of toad. All of them belong to a group of animals called Amphibia.

Some of Michigan's amphibians need special protection. For example, the Blanchard's cricket frog is considered threatened. This means its population is getting smaller. Two other species, the marbled salamander and the small-mouth salamander, are even more at risk; they are considered endangered. The state of Michigan has laws, like the Endangered Species Act, to help protect these animals. Other species, like the boreal chorus frog and lesser siren, are also a special concern, even if they don't have the same legal protection.

How Michigan's Amphibians Survive the Cold

Most frogs and toads around the world live in warm, tropical places. But Michigan can get very cold! Amphibians are ectothermic, which means they are cold-blooded. Their body temperature changes with the temperature around them. Because of this, Michigan's amphibians have special ways to deal with freezing weather.

Many frogs and toads become inactive or dormant in the winter. Some frogs can even survive short periods of freezing. Some salamanders also hibernate during the colder months. However, some salamanders that live entirely in water stay active all year long.

Protecting Amphibians in Michigan

Amphibians face many dangers from human activities. Things like water pollution, cars, and the loss of their homes (called habitat destruction) can hurt them. When wetlands are destroyed for farming or by off-road vehicles, amphibians lose their homes. Chemical pesticides used on farms can also be harmful.

Luckily, Michigan has laws to protect its wetlands. These laws help prevent pollution and destruction. Also, some wetlands that were once used for farming are now being restored to their natural state. This gives amphibians more safe places to live.

Amphibian Habitats Across Michigan

Michigan's amphibian homes are generally divided into four main areas. These areas are different because of their climate, soil, and landforms left behind by glaciers.

Southern Lower Peninsula: Region One

This area generally has warmer weather that doesn't change as much. The soil here is mostly loamy and clay, with some sand. You'll find many deciduous hardwood trees, which lose their leaves in the fall. There are also some natural prairies and savannas. This region has the most different types of plants and animals, including some found nowhere else in Michigan.

Northern Lower Peninsula: Region Two

This region is cooler and has more changing weather, with more rain and snow. This is partly because it's closer to the Great Lakes. It also has more uplands (higher ground) and is further north. The soil is mostly sandy and has glacial deposits. Forests here are often conifer (like pine trees) or a mix of conifer and hardwood trees. You'll also find more swamps and bogs here than in the southern part of the state.

Eastern Upper Peninsula: Region Three

The climate here is similar to the northern Lower Peninsula. The soil is mostly sand and clay, and it doesn't have many nutrients. It also doesn't drain water very well. This region has many wetlands with conifer forests. Higher areas have a mix of conifer and broadleaf hardwood trees.

Western Upper Peninsula: Region Four

This area has a lot of bedrock (solid rock under the soil). The temperatures here are not as mild as in other regions. Winters can be very cold, and summers can be hot. Like Region Three, you'll find mixed conifer and broadleaf forests here.

Frogs in Michigan

Scientific name	Common name	Description	Image	Notes
Acris crepitans blanchardi	Blanchard's cricket frog	Adults are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and are brown or gray.		Considered a threatened species in Michigan.
Hyla chrysoscelis	Cope's gray tree frog	Adults are 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) long and can be gray, green, or brown.
Hyla versicolor	Gray tree frog	Adults are 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) long and can be gray, green, or brown.
Pseudacris crucifer crucifer	Northern spring peeper	Adults are 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) long and are light brown or tan.
Pseudacris maculata	Boreal chorus frog	Adults are about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long and are pale gray or brown. Some can be red or bright green.		Only found on Isle Royale in Michigan. It's a species of special concern.
Pseudacris triseriata triseriata	Western chorus frog	Adults are 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) long and are brown with dark stripes.
Rana catesbeiana	Bullfrog	Adults are 3 to 8 inches (7.6 to 20.3 cm) long and can be green, brown, or olive.
Rana clamitans melanota	Northern green frog	Adults are 2.5 to 4 inches (6.4 to 10.2 cm) long and can be green, brown, or olive.
Rana palustris	Pickerel frog	Adults are 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) long and are green or brown with dark square spots.
Rana pipiens	Northern leopard frog	Adults are 2 to 3.5 inches (5.1 to 8.9 cm) and are green or brown with dark round spots.
Rana septentrionalis	Mink frog	Adults are 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) long and are a blotchy green or brown.
Rana sylvatica	Wood frog	Adults are 2 to 2.5 inches (5.1 to 6.4 cm) long and are brown or tan.

Salamanders in Michigan

Scientific name	Common name	Description	Image	Notes
Ambystoma laterale	Blue-spotted salamander	Adults are 3.5 to 5.5 inches (8.9 to 14.0 cm) long and are black with turquoise or pale blue spots.
Ambystoma maculatum	Spotted salamander	Adults are 4.3 to 9.8 inches (11 to 25 cm) long and are black or dark gray with round yellow spots.
Ambystoma opacum	Marbled salamander	Adults are 3.5 to 5 inches (8.9 to 12.7 cm) long and are black or dark gray with white or gray markings.		Considered an endangered species in Michigan.
Ambystoma texanum	Small-mouth salamander	Adults are 4.3 to 7 inches (11 to 18 cm) long and are black, gray, or brown.		Considered an endangered species in Michigan.
Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum	Eastern tiger salamander	Adults are 7 to 13 inches (18 to 33 cm) long and are black, brown, or olive with yellow or brown spots.
Ambystoma tremblayi	Tremblay's salamander	This is a hybrid salamander, hard to tell apart from the blue-spotted salamander.		It has been seen near Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Eurycea bislineata	Northern two-lined salamander	Adults reach 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) long and are usually yellow with two dark lines along their body.		Only known to be found at Murphy Lake State Game Area in Tuscola County in eastern Michigan.
Hemidactylium scutatum	Four-toed salamander	Adults are 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 cm) long and are orange to gray-brown with small black or blue speckles.
Necturus maculosus	Mudpuppy	Adults are 8 to 19 inches (20 to 48 cm) long and are black or gray-brown with dark splotches.
Notophthalmus viridescens	Eastern newt	Adults are 2.5 to 5.5 inches (6.4 to 14.0 cm) long and are olive green to greenish brown.
Plethodon cinereus	Red-backed salamander	Adults are 2.3 to 5 inches (5.8 to 12.7 cm) long and are usually dark. They have a red stripe on their back when they are young.
Siren intermedia nettingi	Western lesser siren	Adults are 7 to 19.7 inches (18 to 50 cm) long and are gray, brown, or olive.		Considered a species of special concern in Michigan.

Toads in Michigan

Scientific name	Common name	Description	Image	Notes
Bufo americanus americanus	Eastern American toad	Adults are 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 cm) long with warty brown skin.
Bufo fowleri	Fowler's toad	Adults are 2 to 3.5 inches (5.1 to 8.9 cm) long with warty brown skin.

See also

• List of fauna of Michigan