List of amphibians of Ontario
Amphibians in Ontario are classified into two orders: Caudata — which includes salamanders and newts — and Anura — which includes toads and frogs. The first order comprises thirteen species classified in four families, and the second order comprises thirteen species classified in three families.
| Photo | Names (common / scientific) |
IUCN Status | Notes | Distribution map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Proteidae | ||||
| Common mudpuppy Necturus maculosus |
LC | Ontario's largest salamander, reaching 20–48 cm. Common in Great Lakes, Saint Lawrence River, and Ottawa River. Often caught by ice fishing enthusiasts. Fully aquatic with external gills retained throughout life.[1] | ||
| Family Salamandridae | ||||
| Eastern red-spotted newt Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens |
LC | Common and widespread in eastern Ontario. Has a unique terrestrial juvenile stage called an 'eft' with bright orange coloration.[1] | ||
| Central newt Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis |
LC | Subspecies of the Eastern red-spotted newt found in southwestern Ontario. Prefers ponds, ditches, and slow-moving streams.[1] | ||
| Family Ambystomatidae | ||||
| Spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum |
LC | Common and widespread throughout Ontario. Can live up to 32 years. Breeds in temporary woodland pools and vernal pools. Essential for forest ecosystem health.[1] | ||
| Blue-spotted salamander Ambystoma laterale |
LC | Common and widespread throughout Ontario. Often found under logs and rocks in moist forest areas. Important indicator species for forest health.[1] | ||
| Jefferson salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum |
LC | Found in southern Ontario's deciduous forests. One of the first salamanders to breed in spring, often while snow is still on the ground.[1] | ||
| Eastern tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum |
LC | Second largest salamander in Ontario at 15–30 cm. Found in southern Ontario's woodlands and grasslands. Spends much of its time underground in burrows.[1] | ||
| Small-mouthed salamander Ambystoma texanum |
LC | Rare in Ontario, limited to extreme southwestern regions including Pelee Island. This species is vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change.[2] | ||
| Family Plethodontidae | ||||
| Northern dusky salamander Desmognathus fuscus |
LC | Found in eastern Ontario near rocky streams and springs. Breathes through skin and mouth lining as it has no lungs.[1] | ||
| Allegheny Mountain dusky salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus |
LC | This species is designated as endangered in Ontario. COSEWIC considers the population critically endangered. Very limited distribution in extreme eastern Ontario.[3] | ||
| Northern two-lined salamander Eurycea bislineata |
LC | Common in eastern Ontario near rocky streams and springs. Named for the two dark lines running down its back.[1] | ||
| Four-toed salamander Hemidactylium scutatum |
LC | This species is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Ontario. Found in sphagnum bogs and swamps. Can detach its tail when threatened.[4] | ||
| Eastern red-backed salamander Plethodon cinereus |
LC | Common in eastern Ontario's forest floors. Completely terrestrial - lays eggs on land with no aquatic larval stage. No lungs - breathes through skin.[1] | ||
| Photo | Names (common / scientific) |
IUCN Status | Notes | Distribution map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Bufonidae | ||||
| American toad Anaxyrus americanus |
LC | Common and widespread throughout Ontario. Distinguished by its warty skin and parotoid glands behind the eyes. Musical trilling call can last 30 seconds.[1] | ||
| Fowler's toad Anaxyrus fowleri |
LC | Found in southwestern Ontario along the Great Lakes shores. Prefers sandy habitats. Call sounds like a crying baby or sheep bleating.[1] | ||
| Family Hylidae | ||||
| Gray treefrog Dryophytes versicolor |
LC | Common in southern and central Ontario. Can change color from gray to green. Has sticky toe pads for climbing trees and shrubs.[1] | ||
| Spring peeper Pseudacris crucifer |
LC | Common and widespread throughout Ontario. One of the first frogs to call in spring. Named for the distinctive X-shaped mark on its back.[1] | ||
| Western chorus frog Pseudacris triseriata |
LC | Found in western and central Ontario in grasslands and open areas. Call sounds like running a fingernail along a comb. Breeds in temporary pools.[1] | ||
| Boreal chorus frog Pseudacris maculata |
LC | Found in northern Ontario's boreal wetlands and prairies. Recently recognized as distinct from Western chorus frog through genetic analysis.[5] | ||
| Blanchard's cricket frog Acris blanchardi |
LC | This species is designated as endangered in Ontario. Limited to extreme southwestern Ontario. Call sounds like clicking marbles together. Requires shallow waters with emergent vegetation.[6] | ||
| Family Ranidae | ||||
| Wood frog Lithobates sylvaticus |
LC | Common and widespread throughout Ontario to the far north. The most northern amphibian in North America, extending beyond the Arctic Circle. Can freeze solid and survive winter temperatures.[1][7] | ||
| Northern leopard frog Lithobates pipiens |
LC | Common and widespread throughout Ontario. Distinguished by dark spots with light borders. Important indicator species for wetland health. Legal to hunt in Ontario.[1] | ||
| Pickerel frog Lithobates palustris |
LC | Found in eastern Ontario near cool, clear streams and springs. Has distinctive square spots on back. Skin secretions are toxic to other amphibians.[1] | ||
| Green frog Lithobates clamitans |
LC | Common and widespread throughout Ontario in permanent water bodies. Call sounds like a banjo string being plucked. Has prominent dorsolateral folds. Legal to hunt in Ontario.[1] | ||
| Mink frog Lithobates septentrionalis |
LC | Common in northern Ontario lakes and ponds. Named for its distinctive musky odor. Call sounds like rapid tapping on wood.[1] | ||
| American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus |
LC | Common in southern Ontario's large permanent water bodies. Largest frog in Ontario at 9–20 cm. Deep 'jug-o-rum' call can be heard over 1 kilometer away. Legal to hunt in Ontario.[1] | ||
See also
External links
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas". Ontario Nature. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Small‑mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum)". COSEWIC. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander". COSEWIC. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Four‑toed Salamander – Species at Risk Public Registry". Species at Risk Public Registry. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ Lemmon, Emily Moriarty (2007). "Phylogeny-based delimitation of species boundaries in chorus frogs". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 44 (3): 1068–1082.
- ^ "COSEWIC Addendum – Blanchard's Cricket Frog". COSEWIC. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ Storey, Kenneth B. (2019). "Freeze tolerance in the Wood Frog". Journal of Herpetology. 53 (1): 1–9. doi:10.1670/18-100.