List of amphibians of Massachusetts

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
SalamanderProteidaeCommon; 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 Mass
Jefferson Salamander
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeUncommon; 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
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeUncommon; 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
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket
Marbled Salamander
Ambystoma opacum
SalamanderAmbystomatidaeRare; 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
SalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon; Statewide except Cape Cod, Dukes, and Nantucket counties
Northern Two-lined Salamander
Eurycea bislineata
SalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket; Rare in Cape Cod
Spring Salamander
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
SalamanderPlethodontidaeLocally Common to Uncommon; Found in Central and Western Mass
Four-toed Salamander
Hemidactyllium scutatum
SalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon but rarely seen; Statewide except possibly Suffolk county
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
SalamanderPlethodontidaeVery Common; Statewide
Eastern Newt
Notopthalmus viridescens
SalamanderSalamandridaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket

Frogs and toads

Name Species/Authority Order Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Eastern Spadefoot
Scaphiopus holbrookii
FrogScaphiopodidaeRare; 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
FrogBufonidaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket
Fowler's Toad
Anaxyrus fowleri
FrogBufonidaeCommon; Formerly Statewide; Extirapated 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
FrogHylidaeCommon; Statewide except possibly Nantucket
Spring Peeper
Pseudacris crucifer
FrogHylidaeCommon; Statewide
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeiana
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide; Introduced to Nantucket
American Green Frog
Lithobates clamitans
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide
Pickerel Frog
Lithobates palustris
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide
Northern Leopard Frog
Lithobates pipiens
FrogRanidaeUncommon; Declining; Statewide except Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Dukes County
Southern Leopard Frog
Lithobates sphenocephala
FrogRanidaeIntroduced; Specimens caught in various areas were probably escaped captives; may soon be established
Wood Frog
Lithobates sylvatica
FrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket

References

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.

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