Wetlands, forests and backyard ponds host a surprising variety of animals that split their time between water and land. Noting common species helps with identification, conservation awareness, and enjoying local nature without disturbing it.
There are 20 Examples of Amphibians, ranging from the African clawed frog to the Tomato frog. Each entry is organized with Scientific name, Range, Size (cm) so you can compare species quickly — you’ll find below.
How were these 20 amphibian examples selected?
The list focuses on species that illustrate geographic and size variation, plus those with reliable identification and range data; I balanced common, widespread species with a few regionally distinctive ones so the Scientific name, Range, Size (cm) format is useful for quick comparison.
What’s the safest way to observe these amphibians in the wild?
Visit at dawn or dusk when many are active, keep noise and light low, avoid handling or moving animals, stay on trails to protect habitat, and photograph or note sightings for local citizen-science projects rather than collecting or disturbing them.
Examples of Amphibians
| Common name | Scientific name | Range | Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| American bullfrog | Lithobates catesbeianus | North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) | 20 |
| Common toad | Bufo bufo | Europe and parts of Asia | 9 |
| Red-eyed tree frog | Agalychnis callidryas | Central America (Mexico to Panama) | 6 |
| Golden poison frog | Phyllobates terribilis | Pacific coast of Colombia | 5 |
| Strawberry poison-dart frog | Oophaga pumilio | Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua) | 2.5 |
| Axolotl | Ambystoma mexicanum | Endemic to Lake Xochimilco region, Mexico | 23 |
| Eastern newt | Notophthalmus viridescens | Eastern North America | 7 |
| Tiger salamander | Ambystoma tigrinum | North America (widespread) | 15 |
| Japanese giant salamander | Andrias japonicus | Streams of Japan | 100 |
| Chinese giant salamander | Andrias davidianus | Rivers and streams in China | 120 |
| African clawed frog | Xenopus laevis | Sub-Saharan Africa (introduced worldwide) | 9 |
| Surinam toad | Pipa pipa | Amazon Basin (South America) | 12 |
| Fire-bellied toad | Bombina bombina | Europe (wetlands across central and eastern regions) | 5 |
| Glass frog | Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni | Central America (Mexico to Ecuador) | 3 |
| Tomato frog | Dyscophus antongilii | Northeastern Madagascar | 10 |
| Cane toad | Rhinella marina | Native to Central and South America; invasive in Australia and elsewhere | 15 |
| European fire salamander | Salamandra salamandra | Europe (woodlands and stream edges) | 20 |
| Pool frog | Pelophylax lessonae | Europe (ponds and lowland wetlands) | 7 |
| Ringed caecilian | Siphonops annulatus | Tropical South America (Amazon basin and adjacent areas) | 60 |
| Tailed frog | Ascaphus truei | Pacific Northwest of North America (USA, Canada) | 4 |
Images and Descriptions
American bullfrog
A large North American frog known for its deep, resonant call and appetite for a wide range of prey. Often introduced beyond its native range, it can become invasive and outcompete local amphibians; not threatened globally.
Common toad
A widespread European toad with warty skin and a slow, hopping gait; it breeds in ponds and tolerates gardens and farmland. Populations are stable in many areas, though habitat loss and road mortality affect some local populations.
Red-eyed tree frog
A colorful Central American tree frog famous for bright red eyes and green body with blue-and-yellow flank stripes; it hides during the day and leaps to startle predators. Not currently endangered but sensitive to forest loss and pet trade.
Golden poison frog
A small Colombian frog that carries batrachotoxin in its skin, one of the deadliest known amphibians; bright coloration warns predators. Highly toxic in the wild; habitat destruction and limited range make it critically endangered.
Strawberry poison-dart frog
Tiny variable-color poison frog from Central America; some island populations are bright red. It feeds on small arthropods and sequesters toxins from its diet. Popular in the pet trade, but habitat loss threatens wild populations.
Axolotl
A neotenic salamander from Mexico that retains gills and juvenile features into adulthood; famous for extreme regenerative ability, used in research. Wild populations are critically endangered due to habitat loss and invasive fish, though captive populations are common.
Eastern newt
A small North American newt with a bright red juvenile “eft” stage and aquatic adult phase; adults have rougher skin and a toxic skin secretion that deters predators. Generally common, though some local declines occur from pollution.
Tiger salamander
Robust North American salamander with dark blotches on a yellow or olive background; it spends much time underground and breeds in ponds. Widespread and adaptable, but some subspecies face threats from habitat change and disease.
Japanese giant salamander
A huge, fully aquatic salamander endemic to cool mountain streams in Japan, reaching up to a metre or more. It feeds on fish and crustaceans; populations are vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation and pollution, though protected in parts of its range.
Chinese giant salamander
The world’s largest amphibian, native to Chinese rivers and streams, reaching over a metre in length. Critically endangered from overharvesting, habitat loss, and disease; captive breeding programs exist but wild numbers are severely reduced.
African clawed frog
A fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa with flattened body and clawed hind feet; widely used in labs and introduced worldwide. Hardy and adaptable, it can be invasive and also spread chytrid fungus that harms native amphibians.
Surinam toad
A flat, pancake-like Amazonian toad that carries eggs embedded in the skin of the female’s back until froglets emerge; it breathes through skin and is highly specialized. Habitat remains widespread but is affected by deforestation and water pollution.
Fire-bellied toad
A small European toad known for a vivid red or orange belly shown to predators in a defensive posture; skin toxins discourage eating. Some populations are locally endangered by wetland loss but conservation efforts protect key sites.
Glass frog
Tiny Central American frogs with translucent belly skin revealing internal organs; they live on leaves over streams and males guard eggs. Sensitive to forest and stream disturbance, several species face habitat loss and local declines.
Tomato frog
A chunky, bright-orange frog from Madagascar that puffs up and secretes sticky toxins when threatened; its bold color warns predators. Habitat destruction threatens many Malagasy amphibians; this species is considered near threatened but locally common in some areas.
Cane toad
A large, robust toad native to Central and South America now invasive in places like Australia; it secretes potent toxins from parotoid glands that kill predators. Considered a major pest where introduced, with strong impacts on native wildlife.
European fire salamander
A striking black-and-yellow salamander found in European woodlands and stream edges; it produces toxic skin secretions and often has a terrestrial adult life. Populations vary regionally, with some declines due to habitat loss and disease.
Pool frog
A medium-sized European frog often found in ponds, marshes and ditches; males call from vegetation in spring. Local populations fluctuate with wetland availability and some regions list it as vulnerable due to draining and pollution.
Ringed caecilian
A limbless, burrowing amphibian from South America that looks like a large earthworm or snake; it feeds on soil invertebrates and has a ringed skin pattern. Often overlooked, caecilians are poorly known and some species are threatened by habitat loss.
Tailed frog
A small Pacific Northwest frog notable for a tail-like copulatory organ in males, an adaptation to fast-flowing streams. It requires clean, cold waterways; populations are sensitive to logging, sedimentation and climate-related changes to stream habitats.
