Herpetology: Amphibians of Tennessee Identification

No hind limbs

Sirenidae, Siren intermedia, Lesser siren

No hind limbs

Sirenidae, Psuedobranchus striatus, Northern Dwarf Siren

No hind limbs

Sirenidae, Siren lacertina, Greater siren

Very large, wrinkly skin, broad, flat head

Cryptobranchidae, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, Hellbender

Four poorly-developed limbs

Amphiumidae, Amphiuma tridactylum, Three-toed amphiuma

Four poorly-developed limbs

Amphiumidae, Amphiuma means, Two-toed amphiuma

Proteidae, Necturus maculosus, Mudpuppy

Proteidae, Necturus alabamensis, Alabama Waterdog

Salamandridae, Notophthalmus viridescens, Eastern newt

Salamandridae, Taricha torosa, Pacific “California” newt

Salamandridae, Taricha granulose, Rough-skinned newt

Ambystomatidae, Ambystoma barbouri, Streamside salamander

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma maculatum, Spotted salamander

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma opacum, Marbled Salamander

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma talpoideum, Mole salamander

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma texanum, Smallmouth salamander

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma tigrinum, Tiger salamander

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma tigrinum, Tiger salamander (larval form)

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma mexicanus, Axolotl

Ambistomatidae, Ambistoma jeffersonianum, Jefferson’s salamander

Rhyacotritonidae, Rhyacotriton olympicus, Olympic torrent Salamander

Plethodontidae, Aneides aeneus, Green salamander

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus aeneus, Seepage salamander

Part of a complex, only distinguishable by range/genetics

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus carolinensis/ocoee/ochrophaeus/orestes, Carolina Mountain Dusky salamander/Ocoee salamander/Alleghany Mountain Dusky salamander, Blue Ridge Dusky Salamander

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus fuscus, Spotted Dusky salamander

Imitating P. jordani, distinguished via light line from eye to back of jaw and stocky back legs

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus imitator, Imitator salamander

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus marmoratus, Shovel-nosed salamander

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus monticola, Seal salamander

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus quadramaculatus, Black-bellied salamander

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus welteri, Black Mountain Dusky salamander

Plethodontidae, Desmognathus wrighti, Pygmy salamander

Plethodontidae, Eurycea bislineata, Two-lined salamander

Plethodontidae, Eurycea guttolineata, Three-lined salamander

Plethodontidae, Eurycea junaluska, Junaluska salamander

Plethodontidae, Eurycea longicauda, Dark-sided salamander

Plethodontidae, Eurycea lucifuga, Cave salamander

Plethodontidae, Gyrinophilus palleucus, Tennessee Cave salamander

Plethodontidae, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, Spring salamander

4 toes on rear legs

Plethodontidae, Hemidactylium scutatum, Four-toed salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon aureolus, Tellico salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon cinereus, Red-backed salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon dorsalis, Zigzag salamander

Complex, can only be differentiated by range/genetics

Plethodontidae, Plethodon glutinous complex, Slimy salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon jordani, Jordan’s salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon kentucki, Cumberland Plateau salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon teyahalee, Southern Appalachian salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon richmondi, Ravine Salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon serratus, Southern redback salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon wehrlei, Wehrle’s salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon welleri, Weller’s salamander

Plethodontidae, Plethodon yonahlossee, Yonahlossee salamander

Plethodontidae, Pseudotriton montanus, Mud salamander

Plethodontidae, Pseudotriton ruber, Red salamander

Bufonidae, Anaxyrus americanus, American toad

Bufonidae, Anaxyrus quercicus, Oak toad

Bufonidae, Anaxyrus fowleri, Fowler’s toad

Note knobs and spurs on head

Bufonidae, Anaxyrus terrestris, Southern toad

Note keratinized structure on foot

Scaphiopodidae, Scaphiopus holbrookii, Eastern spadefoot toad

Hylidae, Acris crepitans, Northern cricket frog

Hylidae, Acris gryllus, Southern cricket frog

Hylidae, Hyla avivoca, Bird-voiced treefrog

Complex distinguishable only by range/genetic testing

Hylidae, Hyla chrysoscelis/versicolor, Cope’s Gray treefrog/Gray treefrog

Note white stripe down sides

Hylidae, Hyla cinerea, Green treefrog

Yellow/orange spots on inside of thigh

Hylidae, Hyla femoralis, Pine woods treefrog

Hylidae, Hyla gratiosa, Barking treefrog

Hylidae, Hyla squirella, Squirrel tree frog

Hylidae, Psuedacris crucifer, Northern spring peeper

Hylidae, Pseudacris nigrita, Southern chorus frog

Hylidae, Psuedacris ocularis, Little grass frog

Hylidae, Psuedacris ornata, Ornate chorus frog

Hylidae, Psuedacris triseriata, Upland chorus frog

Microhylidae, Gastrophryne carolinensis, Eastern narrowmouth toad

Ranidae, Lithobates capito, Carolina gopher frog

Ranidae, Lithobates catesbeianus, Bullfrog

(now kiss)

Ranidae, Lithobates clamitans, Green/bronze frog

Note snout shape, known for loud, deep grunts

Ranidae, Lithobates grylio, Pig frog

Note square spots, bright orange/yellow under body/legs

Ranidae, Lithobates palustris, Pickerel frog

Note round spots, white spot on tympanum

Ranidae, Lithobates utricularia, Southern leopard frog

Ranidae, Lithobates sylvatica, Wood frog

Ranidae, Lithobates virgatipes, Carpenter frog