Genera:1 - DicamptodonNumber of Species: 4 The family Dicamptodontidae is nicknamed the Pacific Giant Salamanders after the fact that they are large salamanders, but not as big as the members of the family Cryptobranchidae such as the Hellbender or the Chinese Giant Salamander. But, the Pacific Giant Salamanders are some of the largest terrestrial salamanders… Continue reading Dicamptodontidae – Pacific Giant Salamanders
Tag: Family Friday
Chikilidae – Indian Caecilians
Genera: 1 - ChikilaSpecies: 4 Chikilidae is known as the Indian Caecilians because the species are dun dun dun... found in India but they are probably found in the surrounding countries as well. The family is relatively new, only being formed in 2012. The members of the family are kinda small, only reaching 4 inches… Continue reading Chikilidae – Indian Caecilians
Odontophrynidae
Subfamily: NeobatrachiaGenera: 3 - Macrogenioglottus (1), Odontophrynus (12), Proceratophrys (40)Number of Species: 53 Odontophrynidae is a family of frogs from South America, specially the southern and eastern part. The family used to be part of the family Leptodactylidae and Cycloramphidae before it was moved to its own family. Bahia forest frog (Macrogenioglottus alipioi) is the only member… Continue reading Odontophrynidae
Ambystomatidae – Mole Salamanders
Genera: 1 - AmbystomaNumber of Species: 32 Ambystomatidae is found in North America from southern Canada to Mexico. The family is nicknamed the Mole Salamanders because most of the members of the family live underground. Some of the members of the family are neotenic, where they retain larval traits like gills, which means they have… Continue reading Ambystomatidae – Mole Salamanders
Amphiumidae
photo of a 3 toed Amphiuma by opencage Genus: 1 - AmphiumaSpecies: 3 - Two toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means), One toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma pholeter), and Three toad Amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum) Amphiumas are large eel-like salamanders. They still have all four legs but they are heavily reduced. Amphiumas do not have gills which can help tell… Continue reading Amphiumidae
Heleophrynidae – Ghost Frog Family
Photo by Luke Verburgt Suborder: Neobatrachia Number of Genera: 2 - Hadromophryne (1) and Heleophryne (5)Number of Species: 6 Heleophyrynidae is a small family of frogs nicked named the Ghost Frogs. The nickname comes from the fact that they are found in Skeleton Groge. They are found in the southern part of Africa. Natal ghost frog… Continue reading Heleophrynidae – Ghost Frog Family
Cryptobranchidae – Giant Salamanders
Genera: 2 - Cryptobranchus (1) and Andrias (2)Species: 3 Cryptobranchidae is named the Giant Salamander family because it contains the three largest living salamanders. All three of the species are in danger of becoming extinct. These salamanders have gill slits which is unique but they still also have lungs. They also don't have eye lids.… Continue reading Cryptobranchidae – Giant Salamanders
Hemisotidae – Shovelnose Frog Family
Suborder: NeobatrachiaNumber of Genera: 1 - HemisusNumber of Species: 9 Hemisotidae is the Shovelnose Frog family. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The members of the family are adept at burrowing, they have strong hind limbs and fore limbs and a pointed snout. They burrow head first instead of butt… Continue reading Hemisotidae – Shovelnose Frog Family
Sirenidae
Northern Dwarf Siren - USGS Genera: Pseudobranchus (2) and Siren (3)Species: 5 - Lesser Siren (Siren intermedia), Greater Siren (Siren lacertina), Reticulated Siren (Siren reticulata), Southern Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus axanthus), and Northern Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus striatus) Sirenidae is a small family of amphibians thta is found in the Southern United States and Mexico. The family is split… Continue reading Sirenidae
Salamanders (Caudata)
Salamanders are part of a different group of amphibians. The group they belong to is called Caudata. Not all animals in this group are called salamanders, there are also newts, sirens, olms, etc but they are sometimes just lumped into being called salamanders. The Appalachian Mountains of the United States is the salamander capitol of… Continue reading Salamanders (Caudata)