Amphibians of Northern Virginia

Salamanders(Caudata)

1.Ambystomatidae(Lunged Salamanders)

2. Plethodontidae (Lungless Salamanders)

Spotted Salamander(Ambystoma maculatum)

Lunged Salamanders

Large robust salamander with two rows of yellow spots along a dark back.

Jefferson Salamander(Ambystoma jeffersonianum)

Long dark and slender salamander with flecks of blue along sides.

Marbled Salamander(Ambystoma opacum)

Exhibits marbling. Breeds in fall before vernal pools fill.

Lungless Salamanders

Northern Dusky

(Desmognathus fucus)

Brown nondescript salamander with a white line from eye to back of the jaw. Found in seeps and small streams.

Red-backed Salamander(Plethodon cinereus)

Lead-back Phase

Found in woodlots often far from water. Our most common salamander

Two-lined Salamander(Eurycea bislineata)

Two dark lines, one on each side.

Found in streams and seeps

White Spotted Slimy Salamander

Plethodon glutinosus

Becomes tacky when picked up, almost glue like.

Red SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

Bright orange with large black spotting. Golden eyes, no stripes.

Spring SalamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticus

Orange color with small black flecking. A distinct white line from eye to snout.

NewtsRed-spotted Newt

(Notophthalmus viridescens)

Three life phases: Larva, Red eft (land phase) and Adult newt (aquatic).

Frogs and Toads

(Anura)

American Toad(Bufo Americanus)

                   

Warty skin with less then three warts per dark spot on back. Voice: A long trill.

Fowler’s Toad(Bufo woodhousei)

Warty skin with three or more warts per dark spot on back

True Frogs(Ranidae)

Bull Frog(Rana catesebienna)

A fold of skin runs from the eye to back of the jaw.

Voice: “Rum, Rum”

Green Frog(Rana clamitans)

                                        

A fold of skin runs from eye to lower back.

Voice: Sounds like a loose pluck banjo string.

Wood Frog(Rana sylvatica)

Voice: A grumbling “Quack, Quack”

Pickerel Frog(Rana palustris)

Rectangular spots on back and sides.

Northern Leopard Frog(Rana pipiens)

Round spots on back and sides.

Tree Frogs(Hylidae/Acris)

Spring Peeper

(Pseudacris crucifer)

Small, has a distinct “X” on its back.

Voice: “Peep, Peep”

Gray Treefrog(Hyla versicolor/Chrysoscelis)

A tree frog with soft warty skin. A distinct white patch beneath each eye.

Green Treefrog(Hyla cinera)

Not recorded in Loudoun County, but found in Fairfax County.

Lime green with a distinct white line along sides.

Cricket Frog(Acris crepitans)

Small, found in meadows and along grassy ponds. Has a small triangle between eyes and neck.

Voice: “Click, Click” like pebbles being hit together