The Complete List of Every U.S. State Amphibian

Only about half of the states in the United States have an official state amphibian. However, two of these states have named two each. Additionally, a few others have either a proposed or unofficial species. Read on for the complete list of the frogs, salamanders, and newts that currently serve as state amphibians, including photos and facts about each!

Alabama: Red Hills Salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti)

Alabama named the Red Hills Salamander its official state amphibian in 2000. The IUCN currently lists it as a globally endangered species.

Arizona: Arizona Tree Frog (formerly Hyla eximia, now Dryophytes eximius or Dryophytes wrightorum)

Arizona named the Arizona Tree Frog its official state amphibian in 1986. However, at the time it was named, it was a single species listed under the scientific name Hyla eximia. This taxon was subsequently revised and then split into two species, the mountain tree frog (Dryophytes eximius) and Wright’s mountain tree frog (Dryophytes wrightorum). While some sources list the former as Arizona’s current state amphibian, that species as currently defined only lives in Mexico. Other sources, such as the Arizona State Library, therefore now recognize that the latter as the true Arizona tree frog.

California: California Red-Legged Frog (Rana draytonii)

California named the California Red-Legged Frog its official state amphibian in 2014. The U.S. Endangered Species Act currently lists it as a threatened species.

Colorado: Western Tiger Salamander (Barred Tiger Salamander) (Ambystoma mavortium)

Colorado named the western tiger salamander its official state amphibian in 2012. It is also called the barred tiger salamander.

Georgia: American Green Tree Frog (Dryophytes cinereus)

Georgia named the American green tree frog its official state amphibian in 2005.

Idaho: Idaho Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon aterrimus)

Idaho named the Idaho giant salamander its official state amphibian in 2015.

Illinois: Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)

Illinois named the eastern tiger salamander its official state amphibian in 2005.

Iowa: American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) (unofficial)

Iowa has no official state amphibian, but many consider the American bullfrog as the unofficial state amphibian.

Kansas: Barred Tiger Salamander (Western Tiger Salamander) (Ambystoma mavortium)

Kansas named the barred tiger salamander its official state amphibian in 2005. It is also called the western tiger salamander.

Louisiana: American Green Tree Frog (Dryophytes cinereus)

Louisiana named the American green tree frog its official state amphibian in 1993.

Minnesota: Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)(Proposed)

Minnesota has twice proposed the northern leopard frog become its official state amphibian, back in both 1998 and 1999, but it has yet to be passed into law.

Missouri: American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Missouri named the American bullfrog its official state amphibian in 2005.

New Hampshire: Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)

New Hampshire named the red-spotted newt its official state amphibian in 1985.

New Jersey: Pine Barrens Tree Frog (Dryophytes andersonii)

New Jersey named the pine barrens its official state amphibian in 2018. It is currently listed as an endangered species in the state.

New Mexico: New Mexico Spadefoot Toad (Spea multiplicata)

New Mexico named the New Mexico spadefoot toad its official state amphibian in 2003.

New York: Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) (Proposed)

New York proposed the wood frog become its official state amphibian back in 2015, but it has yet to be passed into law.

North Carolina: Pine Barrens Tree Frog (Dryophytes andersonii) (State Frog)

North Carolina named the pine barrens tree frog its official state frog in 2013.

North Carolina: Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) (State Salamander)

North Carolina also named the marbled salamander its official state salamander in 2013.

Ohio: Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

Ohio named the spotted salamander its official state amphibian in 2010.

Ohio: American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) (State Frog)

Ohio named the American bullfrog its official state amphibian in 2010.

Oklahoma: American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Oklahoma named the American bullfrog its official state amphibian in 1997.

Pennsylvania: Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Pennsylvania named the eastern hellbender its official state amphibian in 2019. The IUCN currently lists it as a globally threatened species.

South Carolina: Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)

South Carolina named the spotted salamander its official state amphibian in 1999.

Tennessee: Tennessee Cave Salamander (Gyrinophilus palleucus)

Tennessee named the Tennessee cave salamander its official state amphibian in 1995. The IUCN currently lists it as a globally threatened species.

Texas: Texas Toad (Anaxyrus speciosus)

Texas named the Texas toad its official state amphibian in 2009.

Vermont: Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)

Vermont named the northern leopard frog its official state amphibian in 1998.

Virginia: Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)

Virginia named the red salamander its official state amphibian in 2018.

Washington: Pacific Tree Frog (Pseudacris regilla)

Washington named the Pacific tree frog its official state amphibian in 2007. It is also called the Pacific chorus frog.

West Virginia: Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)

West Virginia named the red salamander its official state amphibian in 2015.

Wyoming: Blotched Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum)

Wyoming named the blotched tiger salamander its official state amphibian in 2019.

Summary Table of “The Complete List of Every U.S. State Amphibian”

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/187715314