photo by Sara Armstrong Common Name: Wyoming Toad, Baxter's ToadScientific Name: Anaxyrus baxteriFamily: Bufonidae - True Toad familyLocation: United States - WyomingSize: 2 inches (50.8 mm) The Wyoming Frog is a federally listed endangered species in the US. It is only found in the Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming and in captivity. The… Continue reading Endangered Species: Wyoming Toad (Anaxyrus baxteri)
Author: Adam
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephalus)
photo by Bob Warrick Common Name: Southern Leopard FrogScientific Name: Rana sphenocephalusFamily: Ranidae - True Frog familyLocation: United States - Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and VirginiaSize: 2.5 -3 inches… Continue reading Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephalus)
Corsican Fire Salamander (Salamandra corsica)
photo by André de Saint-Paul Common Name: Corsican Fire SalamanderScientific Name: Salamandra corsicaFamily:  SalamandridaeLocation: FranceSize: 4.7 - 12 inches(120 - 300 mm) The Corsican Fire Salamander is only found in the deciduous forests on the Corsica island near France, hence the name. The Corsican Fire Salamander breeds in spring.The salamander generally gives live birth to larvae… Continue reading Corsican Fire Salamander (Salamandra corsica)
Salamanders and Newts Defense Mechanisms
It is a doggy dog world out there and salamanders and newts need ways to protect themselves from doggy dogs. They face threats of being eaten by a variety of different animals from birds, fish, snakes, frogs, raccoons, and even other salamanders. This doesn't scare salamanders and newts because they have a variety of ways… Continue reading Salamanders and Newts Defense Mechanisms
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
photo by the USFW Common Name: Leatherback Sea TurtleScientific Name: Dermochelys coriaceaFamily: Dermochelyidae The Leatherback Sea Turtle is the largest living species of turtle in the world, weighing up to 1,500 pounds and over 7 feet long. It is also the only extant species in the family Dermochelyidae. The turtle is named after its unusual… Continue reading Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Many Lined Salamander (Stereochilus marginatus)
photo by Todd Pierson Common Name: Many Lined SalamanderScientific Name: Stereochilus marginatusFamily: PlethodontidaeLocation: United States - Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and VirginiaSize: 4.5 inches The Many Lined Salamander is the only member of the genus Sterochilus. It is found along the coast of southeastern United States in the Atlantic coastal plain. The Many… Continue reading Many Lined Salamander (Stereochilus marginatus)
Maud Island Frog (Leiopelma pakeka)
photo by D. Garrick Common Name: Maud Island FrogScientific Name: Leiopelma pakekaFamily: LeiopelmatidaeLocation: New ZealandSize: 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) The Maud Island Frog is from an ancient lineage of frogs. They live only in New Zealand, on Marlborough Sounds, and South Island. These frogs have a long lifespan, averaging 33 years. Scientists aren't even sure… Continue reading Maud Island Frog (Leiopelma pakeka)
Reticulated Siren (Siren reticulata)
photo by Pierson Hill Common Name: Reticulated Siren, Leopard SirenScientific Name: Siren reticulataFamily: Sirenidae - Siren familyLocation: United States - Florida and AlabamaSize: 10.4 - 24 inches (26.5 - 60.96 cm) The Reticulated Siren is a new species of amphibian! It was only recently described by researchers David Steen, Sean P Graham, Richard Kline, and… Continue reading Reticulated Siren (Siren reticulata)
Bhupathy’s Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus bhupathi)
photo by Jeegath Janani Common Name: Bhupathy's Purple FrogScientific Name: Nasikabatrachus bhupathiFamily: NasikabatrachidaeLocation: IndiaSize: 2 inches There used to be just one species of Purple Frog until genetic tests showed there was another species: the Bhupathy's Purple Frog. Some of the other differences between the two species are their calls and breeding seasons. Bhupathy's Purple Frog… Continue reading Bhupathy’s Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus bhupathi)
New Siren Species: the Reticulated Siren
A new species of siren was discovered in southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle. There were rumors about an undiscovered large, spotted salamander that lived in the area. A few samples of the species was recovered back in the 1970s but people thought they were just bizarre Greater Sirens (Siren lacertina). The species was re-discovered… Continue reading New Siren Species: the Reticulated Siren