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
NameSpecies/AuthorityOrderFamilyRange and statusIUCN Red ListCommon mudpuppyNecturus maculosusSalamanderProteidaeCommon; 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 Massachusetts7Jefferson salamanderAmbystoma jeffersonianumSalamanderAmbystomatidaeUncommon; 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 loss7Blue-spotted salamanderAmbystoma lateraleSalamanderAmbystomatidaeUncommon; 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 loss7Spotted salamanderAmbystoma maculatumSalamanderAmbystomatidaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket7Marbled salamanderAmbystoma opacumSalamanderAmbystomatidaeRare; 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 state7Northern dusky salamanderDesmognathus fuscusSalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon; Statewide except Cape Cod, Dukes, and Nantucket counties7Northern two-lined salamanderEurycea bislineataSalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket; Rare in Cape Cod7Spring salamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticusSalamanderPlethodontidaeLocally common to uncommon; Found in Central and Western Massachusetts7Four-toed salamanderHemidactyllium scutatumSalamanderPlethodontidaeCommon but rarely seen; Statewide except possibly Suffolk county7Eastern red-backed salamanderPlethodon cinereusSalamanderPlethodontidaeVery common; Statewide7Eastern newtNotopthalmus viridescensSalamanderSalamandridaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket7
Frogs and toads
NameSpecies/authorityOrderFamilyRange and statusIUCN Red ListEastern spadefootScaphiopus holbrookiiFrogScaphiopodidaeRare; 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 River7American toadAnaxyrus americanusFrogBufonidaeCommon; Statewide except Nantucket7Fowler's toadAnaxyrus fowleriFrogBufonidaeCommon; 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 Island7Gray treefrogHyla versicolorFrogHylidaeCommon; Statewide except possibly Nantucket7Spring peeperPseudacris cruciferFrogHylidaeCommon; Statewide7American bullfrogLithobates catesbeianaFrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide; Introduced to Nantucket7American green frogLithobates clamitansFrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide7Pickerel frogLithobates palustrisFrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide7Northern leopard frogLithobates pipiensFrogRanidaeUncommon; Declining; Statewide except Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Dukes County7Southern leopard frogLithobates sphenocephalaFrogRanidaeIntroduced; Specimens caught in various areas were probably escaped captives; may soon be established7Wood frogLithobates sylvaticaFrogRanidaeCommon; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket7
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.