Amphibians

In New Mexico, you can find 26 different kinds of amphibians, including toads, frogs, and salamanders. This special group makes up about 21% of all reptiles and amphibians in the state. Overall, New Mexico is home to 123 species of amphibians.

Amphibians, like frogs, toads, and salamanders, have very sensitive skin that allows them to absorb water and breathe at the same time. They begin their lives in a larval stage before growing into adults. Salamanders have tails, and their young ones resemble them closely. On the other hand, frogs and toads lack tails and start off as tadpoles, which look quite different from the adult versions.

Common Amphibians of New Mexico:

Toads:

• Colorado River toad (Bufo alvarius)
• Western toad (Bufo boreas)
• Great Plains toad (Bufo cognatus)
• Green toad (Bufo debilis)
• Southwestern toad (Bufo microscaphus)
• Red-spotted toad (Bufo punctatus)
• Texas toad (Bufo speciosus)
• Woodhouse's toad (Bufo woodhousii)

Frogs:

• Northern cricket frog (Acris crepitans)
• American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
• Northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens)
• Canyon tree frog (Hyla arenicolor)
• Mountain tree frog (Hyla eximia)
• Western chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata)
• Eastern barking frog (Eleutherodactylus augusti)

Salamanders:

• Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
• Sacramento Mountain salamander (Aneides hardii)
• Jemez Mountains salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus)