List of amphibians of Massachusetts facts for kids

This is a list of Massachusetts amphibians. It includes all amphibians currently found in Massachusetts. It does not include species found only in captivity. One species is identified as indicated below:

Salamanders

Name	Species/Authority	Order	Family	Range and status	IUCN Red List
Common mudpuppy	Necturus maculosus	Salamander	Proteidae	Common; Introduced to the Connecticut River in 1936; However, there are records from the Connecticut River in Connecticut as early as 1875; The mudpuppy has also been reported from lakes in Berkshire County which probably means it is native to Western Massachusetts	7
Jefferson salamander	Ambystoma jeffersonianum	Salamander	Ambystomatidae	Uncommon; Found mainly throughout Western Massachusetts; This amphibians range includes the blue spotted/Jefferson salamander hybrid, where both species interbreed and creates hybrids; It is a species of special concern in the Commonwealth due to habitat loss	7
Blue-spotted salamander	Ambystoma laterale	Salamander	Ambystomatidae	Uncommon; Reported from Bristol County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Eastern Worcester County, and Norfolk County; Distinguished from most salamanders by its blue spots; Reports of Western Worcester county may represent the Jefferson salamander; Listed as special concern due to habitat loss	7
Spotted salamander	Ambystoma maculatum	Salamander	Ambystomatidae	Common; Statewide except Nantucket	7
Marbled salamander	Ambystoma opacum	Salamander	Ambystomatidae	Rare; Statewide except Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Dukes County; Threatened in the Commonwealth; There are old records from Plymouth and Essex counties; This species is difficult to locate, making it rare; The fact that Massachusetts is its almost northernmost limit of its range (it is also found in southern New Hampshire) makes it clear why its rare in the state	7
Northern dusky salamander	Desmognathus fuscus	Salamander	Plethodontidae	Common; Statewide except Cape Cod, Dukes, and Nantucket counties	7
Northern two-lined salamander	Eurycea bislineata	Salamander	Plethodontidae	Common; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket; Rare in Cape Cod	7
Spring salamander	Gyrinophilus porphyriticus	Salamander	Plethodontidae	Locally common to uncommon; Found in Central and Western Massachusetts	7
Four-toed salamander	Hemidactyllium scutatum	Salamander	Plethodontidae	Common but rarely seen; Statewide except possibly Suffolk county	7
Eastern red-backed salamander	Plethodon cinereus	Salamander	Plethodontidae	Very common; Statewide	7
Eastern newt	Notopthalmus viridescens	Salamander	Salamandridae	Common; Statewide except Nantucket	7

Frogs and toads

Name	Species/authority	Order	Family	Range and status	IUCN Red List
Eastern spadefoot	Scaphiopus holbrookii	Frog	Scaphiopodidae	Rare; Threatened in the Commonwealth; Most populations are found in Cape Cod and coastal Essex county, but it is also found in the Connecticut River Valley; Due to habitat loss, it is extirpated from inland Essex county, most of Martha Vineyard, and most of the Connecticut River	7
American toad	Anaxyrus americanus	Frog	Bufonidae	Common; Statewide except Nantucket	7
Fowler's toad	Anaxyrus fowleri	Frog	Bufonidae	Common; Formerly statewide; Extirpated from Nantucket, Cuttyhunk Island, Muskeget Island, and parts of Martha's Vineyard due to pesticides and pollution; A population still exists in Tuckernuck Island	7
Gray treefrog	Hyla versicolor	Frog	Hylidae	Common; Statewide except possibly Nantucket	7
Spring peeper	Pseudacris crucifer	Frog	Hylidae	Common; Statewide	7
American bullfrog	Lithobates catesbeiana	Frog	Ranidae	Common; Statewide; Introduced to Nantucket	7
American green frog	Lithobates clamitans	Frog	Ranidae	Common; Statewide	7
Pickerel frog	Lithobates palustris	Frog	Ranidae	Common; Statewide	7
Northern leopard frog	Lithobates pipiens	Frog	Ranidae	Uncommon; Declining; Statewide except Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Dukes County	7
Southern leopard frog	Lithobates sphenocephala	Frog	Ranidae	Introduced; Specimens caught in various areas were probably escaped captives; may soon be established	7
Wood frog	Lithobates sylvatica	Frog	Ranidae	Common; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket	7