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:

• (I) = Introduced population established solely as result of direct or indirect human intervention; synonymous with non-native and non-indigenous.
• (SC), (NT), (E) Special concern/Threatened/Endangered low or rare in numbers.

Salamanders

• Common Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus (I?) (Introduced in Central and western Massachusetts) - 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 reported from lakes in Berkshire County. Mudpuppies occur naturally in Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, but were probably introduced to Western Massachusetts.

• Jefferson Salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum (SC) (Central and western Massachusetts) - Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, Hampshire, and Western Worcester County. This amphibians range includes the Blue spotted/Jefferson Salamander hybrid, where both species interbreed and creates hybrids.

• Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale (SC) (Reported from eastern and central Massachusetts) - 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.

• Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum (Statewide except Nantucket county) - Common in most counties. Distinguished from other salamanders by its large size and yellow spots. Not to be confused with the smaller Blue-spotted Salamander.

• Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum (NT) (Statewide except Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties) - There are old records from Plymouth and Essex counties. 78 recent reports from 75 towns, as well as 27 historical records. 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. Although there are multiple Vernal pools in the southern part of the state, for some unknown reason, Marbled Salamanders don't have populations there.

• Northern Dusky Salamander Desmognathus fuscus (Statewide except Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties) - Common in most counties.

• Northern Two-lined Salamander Eurycea bislineata (Statewide except Dukes, Nantucket, and possibly Barnstable counties) - Common in most counties. May be found in Barnstable County.

• Spring Salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus (Central and western Massachusetts) - Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester counties.

• Four-toed Salamander Hemidactyllium scutatum (Statewide except possibly Suffolk county) - Found in every county except possible Suffolk County. This species is delisted. The smallest salamander in Massachusetts, the Four-toed Salamander is distinguished from other salamanders because it only has four digits on its hind feet, whereas most salamanders have five. Also, its belly is white with tiny black spots, and can voluntarily shed its tail posterior to the hind feet, which is a way to distract predators. It has been observed in all counties except Nantucket island. First reported on Nantucket in 2010. 2 more specimens were found on the island in 2012.

• Eastern Red-backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus (Statewide) - Thought to be the most common salamander in Massachusetts. Found throughout the state, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

• Eastern Newt Notopthalmus viridescens (Statewide except Nantucket county) - The only Newt in Massachusetts. Common throughout the state except Nantucket county.

Frogs and toads

• Eastern Spadefoot Scaphiopus holbrookii (NT) (Eastern Massachusetts and Connecticut River valley. Extirpated from Martha Vineyard) - The only toad in its family that occurs east of the Mississippi River. Threatened in Massachusetts. It is the most fossorial amphibian in Massachusetts, and burrows in sandy or loamy soil. 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. It is extremely rare in Nantucket.

• American Toad Bufo americanus (Statewide except Nantucket county) - Found in all counties except Nantucket.

• Fowler's Toad Bufo fowleri (Statewide except probably extirpated from Nantucket county) - Originally 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 (Statewide except Martha Vineyard and Nantucket county) - Common throughout most of the state.

• Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer (Statewide) - Common and abundant in the state.

• American Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana (Statewide. Recently introduced to Nantucket Island) - Lives in rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. May have been introduced to Nantucket to control insect populations, and is possibly established there.

• American Green Frog Rana clamitans (Statewide) - Common in the state.

• Pickerel Frog Rana palustis (Statewide) - Common throughout the state.

• Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens (Statewide except Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties) - Found everywhere except Martha Vineyard, Nantucket, and Barnstable county. Due to widespread releases of Leopard frogs from extra-limited sources, their original distribution and statues is uncertain.

• Southern Leopard Frog Lithobates sphenocephalus (Possibly introduced) - Specimens that were found in ponds in Western Massachusetts are all believed to be escaped captives. This species may soon be established.

• Wood Frog Rana sylvatica (Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties) - Found in most of the state. Absent from Dukes and Nantucket counties.

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.

List of amphibians of the United States by political division States Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Federal district Washington, D.C. Insular areas American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands Other lists North American amphibians North American reptiles Amphibians and reptiles by region

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