List of data deficient amphibians facts for kids

Amphibians are amazing creatures like frogs, toads, and salamanders that can live both in water and on land. But for many of them, we don't have enough information to know how they are doing.

As of January 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has looked at many amphibian species. They found that 1193 different kinds of amphibians are "data deficient." This means there isn't enough scientific information to figure out if these species are safe, or if they are in danger of disappearing. About 16% of all the amphibians they checked fall into this category.

This article lists all the amphibian species and subspecies that the IUCN has marked as data deficient. Where possible, we've included their common names, and links go to their scientific names used by the IUCN.

Salamanders: The Hidden Wonders

Salamanders are cool, lizard-like amphibians with smooth, moist skin. They often live in damp places like forests or caves. Currently, 50 types of salamanders are listed as data deficient. This means scientists need to learn a lot more about them to understand their true status.

Lungless Salamanders: Breathing Through Skin

Lungless salamanders are special because they don't have lungs! They breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouths. Many of these mysterious salamanders are on the data deficient list.

Asiatic Salamanders: From Asia's Waters

These salamanders are found in Asia. Like many other amphibians, some of them are not well-studied, making it hard to know if they are safe.

Mole Salamanders: Living Underground

Mole salamanders spend a lot of their lives underground. This makes them tricky to study, which is why some are on the data deficient list.

Salamandrids: Newts and More

This group includes newts, which are a type of salamander. Several species in this family also need more research.

Frogs: The Leaping Amphibians

Frogs are known for their powerful legs and loud calls. They live in many different habitats around the world. A large number of frog species, 1044 to be exact, are currently data deficient. This means we need to learn much more about these amazing jumpers.

Water Frogs: Living Near Water

These frogs are often found in or near water. Many species in this group are not well-known by scientists.

Robber Frogs: Small and Secretive

Robber frogs are usually small and live in hidden places, making them hard to find and study.

Robust Frogs: Night Dwellers

These frogs are often active at night. Their secretive nature means we don't have enough data on many species.

Dancing Frogs: Unique Movements

Dancing frogs are known for their special leg movements, which they use to communicate. Many of these unique frogs need more research.

Alsodids: South American Frogs

Alsodids are a family of frogs found in South America. Several species are not well-understood.

Shrub Frogs: Living in Plants

Shrub frogs often live among plants and bushes. Many species in this diverse group are data deficient.

Cryptic Forest Frogs: Hidden in the Woods

These frogs are often found in forests and can be hard to spot, leading to a lack of information about them.

Fleshbelly Frogs: A Diverse Group

This is a very large group of frogs, and many of its members are not well-studied.

Glass Frogs: See-Through Skin

Glass frogs are famous for their see-through skin, which lets you see their insides! Despite their unique appearance, many species are not fully understood.

Batrachylids: Small Frogs of South America

These small frogs are found in South America. Scientists are still gathering information on some of them.

Litter Frogs: Living in Leaf Litter

Litter frogs hide among fallen leaves on the forest floor. Their camouflage makes them hard to find, leading to a lack of data.

Screeching Frogs: Sounds of the Forest

These frogs are known for their calls. Many species in this African group need more study to understand their populations.

Hemiphractids: Marsupial Frogs

This family includes "marsupial frogs," where the mother carries her eggs in a pouch on her back. Many of these unique frogs are data deficient.

Cycloramphids: Frogs of Brazil

These frogs are mostly found in Brazil. Many species are not well-known, making it hard to assess their conservation needs.

Poison Dart Frogs: Colorful but Mysterious

Poison dart frogs are famous for their bright colors, which warn predators that they are poisonous. Many species in this group are still a mystery to scientists.

Mantellids: Frogs of Madagascar

Mantellids are a diverse group of frogs found mainly on the island of Madagascar. Many of these unique island species need more research.

Ceratobatrachids: Horned Frogs and More

This family includes frogs with unique features, sometimes resembling horns. Many are found in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Fork-Tongued Frogs: Diverse Asian Frogs

These frogs are found across Asia. Many species are not well-known, making it difficult to understand their populations.

Narrow-Mouthed Frogs: Small and Secretive

These frogs often have small, pointed heads and live in hidden places. Many are tiny and hard to find, which contributes to their data deficient status.

True Frogs: The Common Frogs

This family includes many of the frogs you might think of as "typical" frogs. Even among these common types, many species need more study.

Australian Water Frogs: Unique to Australia

These frogs are found in Australia. Like many other amphibians, some species need more scientific attention.

Puddle Frogs: Small and Widespread

Puddle frogs are small and found in various habitats, often near temporary puddles. Many species are not well-documented.

Hylids: Tree Frogs and Their Relatives

This large family includes many tree frogs, known for their climbing abilities. Many species, including some beautiful ones, are data deficient. Includes tree frog species and their allies.

African Reed Frogs: Colorful and Slender

These slender and often colorful frogs are found in Africa. Many species are still being studied to understand their populations.

Tongueless Frogs: Aquatic Specialists

These frogs are fully aquatic and, as their name suggests, do not have tongues. Many species are not well-studied.

Pyxicephalids: African Bullfrogs and More

This family includes large frogs like the African bullfrog. Many species in this group need more data.

Shovelnose Frogs: Burrowing Experts

Shovelnose frogs are known for their pointed snouts, which they use to burrow underground. Their hidden lives make them hard to study.

Odontophrynids: South American Toads

These frogs are found in South America. Many species are not well-known, making it hard to assess their conservation needs.

Ptychadenids: Grass Frogs

These frogs are often called "grass frogs" and are found in Africa. Many species are not well-documented.

Southern Frogs: Diverse South American Frogs

This is a large and varied group of frogs found in South America. Many species are still being studied to understand their populations.

Saddleback Toads: Tiny and Colorful

These small, often brightly colored frogs are found in Brazil. Many are tiny and live in specific habitats, making them hard to study.

Hylodids: Stream-Dwelling Frogs

These frogs often live near streams and waterfalls. Many species are not well-documented.

Other Frog Species: More Frogs Needing Study

Here are a few more frog species from different families that are also data deficient.

Caecilians: The Legless Amphibians

Caecilians are unique amphibians that look like large worms or snakes, but they are amphibians! They live mostly underground or in water, which makes them very hard to find and study. Because of this, 99 species of caecilians are listed as data deficient. We need to learn much more about these mysterious creatures.

Scolecomorphids: African Caecilians

These caecilians are found in Africa. Their underground lifestyle means we have limited information about their populations.

Indotyphlids: Indian Caecilians

These caecilians are mostly found in India. Many species are not well-known by scientists.

Ichthyophiids: Asian Caecilians

This is a large group of caecilians found in Asia. Many species are data deficient, meaning we need more information to understand their status.

Dermophiids: Central American Caecilians

These caecilians are found in Central America and parts of Africa. More research is needed to understand their populations.

Typhlonectids: Aquatic Caecilians

This family includes caecilians that live mostly in water. Their aquatic lifestyle makes them hard to study.

Siphonopids: South American Caecilians

These caecilians are found in South America. Many species are not well-known, making it hard to assess their conservation needs.

Caeciliids: Diverse Caecilians

This is a diverse family of caecilians. Many species are data deficient, meaning we need more information to understand their status.

Rhinatrematids: South American Caecilians

These caecilians are found in South America. Many species are not well-known, making it hard to assess their conservation needs.

Other Caecilian Species: More Legless Wonders

Here are a few more caecilian species from different families that are also data deficient.

See also

• Lists of IUCN Red List data deficient species
• List of least concern amphibians
• List of near threatened amphibians
• List of vulnerable amphibians
• List of endangered amphibians
• List of critically endangered amphibians
• List of recently extinct amphibians