Amphibians
29 species in the encyclopedia
Cold-blooded vertebrates that live both in water and on land, often beginning life with gills.
Axolotl
Ambystoma mexicanum
The axolotl is a unique species of salamander native to the freshwater lakes of central Mexico, most notably Lake Xochimilco. Unlike most amphibians, axolotls retain their larval features throughout their lives, a condition known as neoteny, which includes feathery external gills and a finned tail. They are capable of regenerating entire limbs, spinal cord, heart, and other organs, making them a subject of extensive scientific research. Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species.
Black rain frog
Breviceps fuscus
The black rain frog is a small, stout amphibian native to the southern coast of South Africa. Recognized for its dark, almost black coloration and grumpy appearance, this frog is adapted to a subterranean lifestyle in forested and mountainous regions. It is a terrestrial species that rarely enters water, preferring to burrow in moist soil to avoid desiccation. The black rain frog is well known for its defensive posture, inflating its body to appear larger when threatened.
Borneo Eared Frog
Polypedates otilophus
The Borneo Eared Frog is a striking tree frog native to the rainforests of Borneo, recognized for the prominent, ear-like projections on the sides of its head. This medium-sized amphibian displays a yellowish to brown coloration with dark, irregular markings that provide excellent camouflage among tree branches and leaves. Its large, round eyes and powerful limbs equipped with sticky toe pads make it well-adapted for an arboreal lifestyle. The species is primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt insects and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, males call from vegetation near water bodies, where eggs are laid above water to protect them from aquatic predators.
California Newt
Taricha torosa
The California newt is a medium-sized amphibian native to California, recognized by its rough, warty skin and striking orange to brown coloration. It inhabits moist woodlands, chaparral, and forested areas, especially near streams and ponds during the breeding season. The newt is well adapted to both terrestrial and aquatic environments and is known for its potent skin toxin, which deters most predators. During the dry season, it retreats to moist refuges, becoming terrestrial until the rainy months trigger its migration to breeding pools.
California Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma californiense
The California Tiger Salamander is a large, secretive amphibian native to California's grasslands and vernal pool ecosystems. Characterized by its robust body, broad head, and striking black coloration adorned with bright yellow or white spots, this salamander spends most of its life underground in burrows created by small mammals. It emerges primarily during the rainy season to breed in temporary ponds. Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, its populations have declined, and it is now considered a vulnerable species.
Carpathian Newt
Lissotriton montandoni
The Carpathian newt is a slender, small amphibian native to the Carpathian Mountains of Central and Eastern Europe. Distinguished by its smooth skin, olive-brown coloration, and subtle orange underbelly with small dark spots, this species is well-adapted to cold, mountainous habitats. During the breeding season, adults migrate to clean, cool freshwater bodies such as ponds and streams, while outside breeding, they seek shelter in damp forests and under logs or stones. The Carpathian newt plays an important ecological role as both predator and prey in its environment, helping to control insect populations.
Coastal Giant Salamander
Dicamptodon tenebrosus
The Coastal Giant Salamander is the largest terrestrial salamander in North America, reaching lengths of up to 34 centimeters. It is notable for its robust body, broad head, and distinctive marbled or mottled brown and tan coloration. This species is semi-aquatic, spending its larval stage in cool, fast-flowing streams and transitioning to life on land as an adult, although some individuals remain aquatic for life. The Coastal Giant Salamander is found primarily in moist coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, where it hides under logs, rocks, and leaf litter.
Corroboree Frog
Pseudophryne corroboree
The Corroboree Frog is a small, vividly colored amphibian native to the alpine and subalpine regions of southeastern Australia. Known for its striking yellow and black striped pattern, this frog is highly recognizable and unique among Australian fauna. Corroboree Frogs spend most of their lives on land, only returning to pools and bogs to breed during the summer months. Their populations have dramatically declined due to habitat loss, disease, and climate change, making them one of Australia's most endangered amphibians.
Dyeing Dart Frog
Dendrobates tinctorius
The Dyeing Dart Frog is a vividly colored amphibian native to the rainforests of northern South America. Known for its striking blue, yellow, and sometimes white coloration, this small frog serves as a warning to predators about its toxic skin secretions. Despite its name, the frog does not produce dyes, but local legends claim its skin was used to dye the feathers of parrots. The species is diurnal, highly territorial, and relies on small insects and arthropods for food. Its vibrant appearance and unique behavior make it a favorite among herpetologists and amphibian enthusiasts.
Eastern Hellbender
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis
The Eastern Hellbender is the largest aquatic salamander in North America, reaching lengths up to 29 inches. This secretive amphibian inhabits clean, fast-flowing streams and rivers, where it hides under large, flat rocks. Its slimy, flattened body and loose, frilled skin help with cutaneous respiration, as it absorbs oxygen directly through its skin. Hellbenders are highly sensitive to water pollution and habitat disturbance, making them important indicators of freshwater ecosystem health.
Eastern Newt
Notophthalmus viridescens
The Eastern Newt is a small, semi-aquatic amphibian native to eastern North America. It is well known for its complex life cycle, which includes a bright orange juvenile terrestrial stage called the red eft, followed by an adult aquatic phase with olive-green coloration. Eastern Newts inhabit a wide range of freshwater environments, including ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, often surrounded by forests. Their skin secretes toxins that deter predators, and they play a vital ecological role by controlling insect populations. Adaptable and resilient, Eastern Newts are a common sight in suitable habitats across their range.
Ecuadorian Poison Frog
Ameerega bilinguis
The Ecuadorian Poison Frog is a small, brightly colored amphibian native to the humid lowland and foothill forests of Ecuador and northern Peru. It is known for its striking black body adorned with vibrant blue or green markings, which serve as a warning to potential predators about its toxicity. This diurnal frog is often found near streams and in leaf litter, where it hunts for small invertebrates. The species is notable for its parental care, with males transporting tadpoles to water after hatching.
Edible Frog
Pelophylax kl. esculentus
The Edible Frog is a semi-aquatic amphibian native to Europe, recognized for its vibrant green to olive coloration and distinctive dark spots. This species is the result of natural hybridization between the Pool Frog and the Marsh Frog, making it unique among European frogs. Edible Frogs are most commonly found in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, where they bask on vegetation and hunt for insects. They are named 'edible' because they have historically been consumed as a delicacy, especially in French cuisine. These frogs play an important ecological role as both predator and prey in their freshwater habitats.
European Green Toad
Bufotes viridis
The European Green Toad is a medium-sized amphibian known for its striking green patches on a pale, often white or greyish background. This toad is highly adaptable and can be found across a wide range of environments, from urban parks and gardens to arid steppes and coastal regions. Its skin secretes mild toxins as a defense mechanism against predators. During the breeding season, males produce a distinctive, melodic trilling call to attract females. The species is resilient and has adjusted well to human-altered landscapes, although some populations are declining due to habitat loss.
European Spadefoot Toad
Pelobates fuscus
The European Spadefoot Toad is a medium-sized amphibian recognized for its stout, rounded body and vertical, cat-like pupils. Its skin is generally smooth and colored in shades of brown or gray, often with lighter spots or marbling for camouflage. This species is notable for the hard, spade-like projection on its hind feet, which it uses to burrow into loose, sandy soils. European Spadefoot Toads are mainly nocturnal and spend much of their lives underground, emerging during rainy periods to breed in temporary ponds. Their distinctive, low-pitched mating call can be heard from a distance during the spring breeding season.
Fire Salamander
Salamandra salamandra
The fire salamander is a striking amphibian known for its black body marked with bright yellow or orange patterns, which serve as a warning to predators about its toxicity. This species is native to the forests of central and southern Europe, where it prefers moist, shaded woodlands near streams or springs. Fire salamanders are primarily nocturnal and spend much of their time hidden under logs, stones, or leaf litter. Notably, they possess skin glands that secrete potent toxins as a defense mechanism against predators.
Golden Poison Frog
Phyllobates terribilis
The Golden Poison Frog is among the most toxic animals on Earth, native to the rainforests of western Colombia. Recognizable by its brilliant yellow, orange, or greenish coloration, this small amphibian serves as a warning to potential predators. Despite its tiny size, each frog can carry enough batrachotoxin to be lethal to several humans or large animals. In the wild, their toxicity comes from their specialized diet, and captive frogs do not develop the same level of poison.
Italian Crested Newt
Triturus carnifex
The Italian Crested Newt is a large, semi-aquatic amphibian native primarily to Italy and parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Recognized by its robust body, dark marbled coloration, and the prominent jagged crest found on males during the breeding season, this species inhabits still or slow-moving freshwater bodies. It spends much of its life on land, seeking shelter in woodlands, meadows, or gardens, but returns to water each spring to breed. Italian Crested Newts are sensitive to environmental changes, making them important indicators of ecosystem health.
Lesser Siren
Siren intermedia
The Lesser Siren is a slender, eel-like aquatic salamander notable for its long body, external feathery gills, and the complete absence of hind limbs. It can grow up to 69 cm (27 inches) and is primarily nocturnal, spending most of its time hidden among aquatic vegetation or burrowed in mud. This amphibian is well adapted to a fully aquatic life, residing in slow-moving or stagnant freshwater environments. During droughts, the Lesser Siren can aestivate by burrowing into mud and secreting a mucous cocoon to survive until conditions improve.
Marbled Tree Frog
Dendropsophus marmoratus
The Marbled Tree Frog is a small, nocturnal amphibian known for its striking marbled pattern of green, brown, and cream on its back, which provides excellent camouflage among leaves and tree bark. This species is native to the lowland tropical forests of South America, particularly in the Amazon Basin. It is an arboreal frog, spending most of its time perched on vegetation near slow-moving or stagnant water bodies where it breeds. The Marbled Tree Frog has a distinctive, high-pitched call used during the rainy season to attract mates. Its adaptability to different types of forested habitats has helped it remain common throughout its range.
Mimic Glass Frog
Hyalinobatrachium mimina
The Mimic Glass Frog is a small, translucent amphibian native to the rainforests of Ecuador and Colombia. It is renowned for its transparent underbelly, which reveals its internal organs, and its ability to mimic the appearance of toxic species for protection. This frog is primarily nocturnal and spends much of its life on leaves above streams, where it lays its eggs. Its delicate appearance and elusive nature make it a fascinating subject for herpetologists.
Northern Banjo Frog
Limnodynastes terraereginae
The Northern Banjo Frog is a robust amphibian native to eastern Australia, recognized for its distinctive 'bonk' call that resembles the twang of a banjo. It has a stout body, smooth skin, and is usually brown or gray with reddish patches behind the eyes and on the thighs. This burrowing species spends much of its life underground, emerging after heavy rains to breed in temporary pools and slow-moving waterways. The tadpoles are large and adapted to survive in ephemeral water bodies. Highly adaptable, the Northern Banjo Frog thrives in a variety of habitats, from forests to farmland.
Red Salamander
Pseudotriton ruber
The Red Salamander is a striking amphibian known for its bright red or orange coloration, often speckled with black spots. This medium-sized salamander is primarily found in the eastern United States, inhabiting moist forests near clear, cold streams, springs, and seepages. Red Salamanders are secretive, spending much of their time under rocks, logs, or leaf litter, especially during the day. They are important predators of invertebrates in their ecosystems and are often considered indicators of clean water quality due to their sensitivity to pollution.
Sardinian Brook Salamander
Euproctus platycephalus
The Sardinian Brook Salamander is a medium-sized amphibian endemic to the island of Sardinia, Italy. It has a flattened head and body, with smooth, moist skin that is typically brown or olive, often mottled with lighter or darker patches. This salamander is highly aquatic, spending the majority of its life in clean, cool, fast-flowing mountain streams and brooks. Due to its restricted range and habitat specificity, it is particularly vulnerable to water pollution and habitat disturbance.