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
| 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 Mass | 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 Mass | 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
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.