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
[edit]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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
Spotted salamander![]() |
Ambystoma maculatum |
Salamander | Ambystomatidae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
Northern dusky salamander![]() |
Desmognathus fuscus |
Salamander | Plethodontidae | Common; Statewide except Cape Cod, Dukes, and Nantucket counties | ![]() |
Northern two-lined salamander![]() |
Eurycea bislineata |
Salamander | Plethodontidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket; Rare in Cape Cod | ![]() |
Spring salamander![]() |
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus |
Salamander | Plethodontidae | Locally common to uncommon; Found in Central and Western Massachusetts | ![]() |
Four-toed salamander![]() |
Hemidactyllium scutatum |
Salamander | Plethodontidae | Common but rarely seen; Statewide except possibly Suffolk county | ![]() |
Eastern red-backed salamander![]() |
Plethodon cinereus |
Salamander | Plethodontidae | Very common; Statewide | ![]() |
Eastern newt![]() |
Notopthalmus viridescens |
Salamander | Salamandridae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket | ![]() |
Frogs and toads
[edit]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 | ![]() |
American toad |
Anaxyrus americanus |
Frog | Bufonidae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
Gray treefrog |
Hyla versicolor |
Frog | Hylidae | Common; Statewide except possibly Nantucket | ![]() |
Spring peeper![]() |
Pseudacris crucifer |
Frog | Hylidae | Common; Statewide | ![]() |
American bullfrog![]() |
Lithobates catesbeiana |
Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide; Introduced to Nantucket | ![]() |
American green frog![]() |
Lithobates clamitans |
Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide | ![]() |
Pickerel frog![]() |
Lithobates palustris |
Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide | ![]() |
Northern leopard frog![]() |
Lithobates pipiens |
Frog | Ranidae | Uncommon; Declining; Statewide except Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Dukes County | ![]() |
Southern leopard frog |
Lithobates sphenocephala |
Frog | Ranidae | Introduced; Specimens caught in various areas were probably escaped captives; may soon be established | ![]() |
Wood frog![]() |
Lithobates sylvatica |
Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket | ![]() |
References
[edit]Massachusetts Reptiles and Amphibians List J.E. Cardoza and P.G. Mirick
USGS Online Guide to the amphibians of North America. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. 1997. Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification Guide: An Online Guide for the Identification of Amphibians in North America north of Mexico. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.