List of amphibians of the United States facts for kids

Amphibians are amazing creatures that can live both in water and on land! They include animals like frogs, toads, and salamanders. In the United States, scientists have found a total of 306 different amphibian species. Sadly, 2 of these species are now extinct, meaning they no longer exist. This list comes from a big database called "Amphibian Species of the World."

Salamanders (Caudata)

Salamanders are amphibians that look a bit like lizards, but they have smooth, moist skin and no claws. They usually have long bodies, four legs, and a tail. Most salamanders need to stay moist, so you'll often find them near water or in damp places.

Ambystomatidae

This family includes the "mole salamanders." They often spend most of their lives underground, coming out mainly to breed.

Ambystoma californiense is a type of mole salamander.

Ambystoma barbouri is another mole salamander.

The barred tiger salamander, Ambystoma mavortium.

Order: Caudata Family: Ambystomatidae

• Ambystoma annulatum (Ringed Salamander)
• Ambystoma barbouri (Streamside Salamander)
• Ambystoma californiense (California Tiger Salamander)
• Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamander)
• Ambystoma tigrinum (Tiger Salamander)
• Dicamptodon tenebrosus (Coastal Giant Salamander)

Amphiumidae

Amphiumas are long, eel-like salamanders that live in the southeastern United States. They have tiny legs and spend their lives in muddy water.

The two-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma means.

Order: Caudata Family: Amphiumidae

• Amphiuma means (Two-toed Amphiuma)
• Amphiuma tridactylum (Three-toed Amphiuma)

Cryptobranchidae

This family includes some of the largest salamanders in the world, often called "hellbenders." They are fully aquatic and have wrinkly skin to help them breathe underwater.

The amazing hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis.

Order: Caudata Family: Cryptobranchidae

• Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Hellbender)

Plethodontidae

This is the largest family of salamanders, known as "lungless salamanders." They don't have lungs; instead, they breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouths. This means they need to stay very moist.

The arboreal salamander, Aneides lugubris.

Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae

• Batrachoseps attenuatus (California Slender Salamander)
• Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander)
• Gyrinophilus porphyriticus (Spring Salamander)
• Hemidactylium scutatum (Four-toed Salamander)
• Pseudotriton ruber (Red Salamander)
• Aneides aeneus (Green Salamander)
• Desmognathus fuscus (Dusky Salamander)
• Ensatina eschscholtzii (Ensatina)
• Plethodon cinereus (Red-backed Salamander)
• Plethodon jordani (Jordan's Salamander)

Proteidae

These salamanders are also fully aquatic and have feathery, external gills throughout their lives. They are sometimes called "mudpuppies." Order: Caudata Family: Proteidae

• Necturus maculosus (Common Mudpuppy)
• Necturus punctatus (Dwarf Waterdog)

Rhyacotritonidae

These are small salamanders found in the Pacific Northwest, often called "torrent salamanders" because they live in cold, fast-flowing streams. Order: Caudata Family: Rhyacotritonidae

• Rhyacotriton olympicus (Olympic Torrent Salamander)

Salamandridae

This family includes newts, which are a type of salamander. Many newts have rougher skin than other salamanders and some have bright colors to warn predators that they are toxic.

The California newt, Taricha torosa.

Order: Caudata Family: Salamandridae

• Notophthalmus viridescens (Eastern Newt)
• Taricha granulosa (Rough-skinned Newt)
• Taricha torosa (California Newt)

Sirenidae

Sirens are long, eel-like amphibians with only front legs and external gills. They live in slow-moving water and can even survive dry periods by burrowing in the mud. Order: Caudata Family: Sirenidae

• Siren lacertina (Greater Siren)
• Siren intermedia (Lesser Siren)

Frogs and Toads (Anura)

Frogs and toads are amphibians known for their powerful jumping legs and their loud calls. Frogs generally have smooth, moist skin and live near water, while toads often have drier, warty skin and can live further from water.

The Mexican burrowing toad, Rhinophrynus dorsalis.

Ascaphidae

These are called "tailed frogs" because the males have a tail-like extension, which is actually part of their reproductive system. They live in cold, fast-moving streams. Order: Anura Family: Ascaphidae

• Ascaphus truei (Coastal Tailed Frog)

Bufonidae

This family includes "true toads." They are usually plump with short legs and warty skin. Many have glands behind their eyes that release toxins to protect them from predators.

The cane toad, Rhinella marina, is an introduced species.

Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae

• Anaxyrus americanus (American Toad)
• Anaxyrus boreas (Western Toad)
• Anaxyrus fowleri (Fowler's Toad)
• Anaxyrus punctatus (Red-spotted Toad)
• Rhinella marina (Cane Toad - an introduced species)

Craugastoridae

This family contains many species of "rain frogs" or "direct-developing frogs." This means they don't have a tadpole stage; instead, tiny froglets hatch directly from the eggs. Order: Anura Family: Craugastoridae

• Craugastor augusti (Barking Frog)

Dendrobatidae

This family is famous for "poison dart frogs." While many are brightly colored and toxic in their native habitats (like Central and South America), the one found in the U.S. is an introduced species.

The green and black poison dart frog, Dendrobates auratus, is found in Hawaii.

Order: Anura Family: Dendrobatidae

• Dendrobates auratus (Green and Black Poison Dart Frog - introduced to Hawaii)

Eleutherodactylidae

These are also "direct-developing frogs," meaning they skip the tadpole stage. Many species in this family are small and have loud calls.

The common coquí, Eleutherodactylus coqui, is known for its loud call.

Order: Anura Family: Eleutherodactylidae

• Eleutherodactylus coqui (Common Coquí - introduced to Florida)
• Eleutherodactylus planirostris (Greenhouse Frog)

Hylidae

This family includes "tree frogs." They often have sticky toe pads that help them climb trees and other surfaces. Many are masters of camouflage. Order: Anura Family: Hylidae

• Acris crepitans (Northern Cricket Frog)
• Hyla cinerea (Green Tree Frog)
• Hyla versicolor (Gray Tree Frog)
• Osteopilus septentrionalis (Cuban Tree Frog - introduced)
• Pseudacris crucifer (Spring Peeper)
• Pseudacris regilla (Pacific Tree Frog)
• Litoria caerulea (White's Tree Frog - introduced)

Leptodactylidae

This family includes "tropical frogs" that are found in warmer climates. The species found in the U.S. is an introduced one.

The Mexican white-lipped frog, Leptodactylus fragilis.

Order: Anura Family: Leptodactylidae

• Leptodactylus fragilis (Mexican White-lipped Frog - introduced)

Microhylidae

These are "narrow-mouthed toads." They are small, round-bodied frogs with tiny heads. They often eat ants and termites.

The sheep frog, Hypopachus variolosus.

Order: Anura Family: Microhylidae

• Gastrophryne carolinensis (Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad)
• Hypopachus variolosus (Sheep Frog)

Pipidae

This family includes "clawed frogs" and "surinam toads." They are fully aquatic and have flattened bodies. The species found in the U.S. is an introduced one.

The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, is an introduced species.

Order: Anura Family: Pipidae

• Xenopus laevis (African Clawed Frog - introduced)

Ranidae

This family includes "true frogs." They typically have smooth skin, long legs, and live near water. Many are excellent jumpers.

The foothill yellow-legged frog, Rana boylii.

Order: Anura Family: Ranidae

• Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog)
• Lithobates clamitans (Green Frog)
• Lithobates pipiens (Northern Leopard Frog)
• Lithobates sylvaticus (Wood Frog)
• Rana aurora (Northern Red-legged Frog)
• Rana boylii (Foothill Yellow-legged Frog)
• Rana draytonii (California Red-legged Frog)

Rhinophrynidae

This family has only one species, the "Mexican burrowing toad." It has a round body and a small head, and it's adapted for digging underground. Order: Anura Family: Rhinophrynidae

• Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Mexican Burrowing Toad)

Scaphiopodidae

These are "spadefoot toads." They have a hard, spade-like growth on their hind feet that helps them dig backwards into the soil. They often come out during heavy rains.

Hurter's spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus hurterii.

Order: Anura Family: Scaphiopodidae

• Scaphiopus holbrookii (Eastern Spadefoot)
• Scaphiopus hurterii (Hurter's Spadefoot)
• Spea hammondii (Western Spadefoot)

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Anfibios de Estados Unidos para niños List of amphibians native to the United States by state: