Amphibians

The smallest frog on Earth is so tiny it can sit on a dime and still leave space around its toes. Scientists studying amphibians discovered that some frogs have shrunk to extraordinarily small sizes while still functioning as complete vertebrate animals.

By Nico Avelle

The olm is one of the strangest amphibians on Earth. This pale cave salamander lives in permanently dark habitats beneath the limestone landscapes of southeastern Europe.

By Nico Avelle

The mountain chicken is not a bird at all. It is a critically endangered frog known formally as Leptodactylus fallax, once one of the largest frogs in the world. Today this amphibian species survives on just two islands in the Caribbean: Montserrat and Dominica.

By Nico Avelle

Some frogs blend into mud or leaves. Others look like someone spilled a paint set on them. These colorful frog species are so bright and beautiful, they seem designed to be seen.

By Nico Avelle

With its striking colors and unusual name, the Amazon milk frog is one of the most charismatic amphibians in the rainforest. This tree-dwelling species lives high in the canopy, often in water-filled tree holes, and makes its home in parts of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and French Guiana.

By Nico Avelle

Ah, the red-eyed tree frog—with its signature stare and bright-green body, these small frogs are icons of the tropics.

By Nico Avelle

Frogs have been hopping around the planet since the Early Triassic, making them one of the oldest extant amphibian lineages. With more than 7,000 frog species globally, they’ve adapted to nearly every environment on Earth, from tropical rainforest canopies to forest floor ponds.

By Nico Avelle

Frogs might seem simple, but under the skin, they're biological marvels. When you dig into frog anatomy, you’ll find structures that support a life both in water and on land. That duality makes them excellent subjects for comparing vertebrate systems—including our own.

By Nico Avelle

Frogs aren't at the top of the food chain. In fact, the list of what eats frogs is pretty long. These amphibians are on the menu for all kinds of animals across different ecosystems.

By Nico Avelle

Tiny, neon-colored, and hiding in plain sight on this list of poisonous frogs, these amphibians pack a punch way above their weight. Found mostly in the humid rainforests of Central and South America, poison dart frogs are famous for their toxic skin secretions and eye-popping hues.

By Nico Avelle

Most frogs hop away from danger. But the hairy frog? It brings its own weapons to the fight—literally. Known for its bizarre defense mechanism, this amphibian snaps its own bones to create claws that pierce through its skin. You read that right.

By Nico Avelle

The pixie frog is not the kind of frog you'd find hopping harmlessly around your garden pond. Also called the African giant bullfrog, this enormous amphibian is known scientifically as Pyxicephalus adspersus.

By Nico Avelle

Meet the African clawed frog, a fully aquatic amphibian that's part living fossil, part lab legend, and part ecological wildcard.

By Nico Avelle

If you've walked through a warm, humid forest in Puerto Rico or parts of Hawaii at dusk, you've likely heard the high-pitched "ko-kee" call of the coqui frog.

By Nico Avelle

You’ve probably heard them before you’ve seen them. The booming "jug-o-rum" call of the bullfrog (sometimes spelled bull frog) is a signature sound in North American wetlands.

By Nico Avelle

If you're thinking about frogs as gross, standoffish creatures, think again. White's tree frog is one of the friendliest, plumpest amphibians you’ll meet.

By Nico Avelle

The horned frog (also called the horned toad or ornate horned frog) belongs to the genus Ceratophrys, a group of amphibians native to South America.

By Nico Avelle

African dwarf frogs are tiny, fully aquatic amphibians that bring big personality to small aquariums. Native to the ponds and slow-moving rivers of Central Africa, the African dwarf frog is a popular choice for pet owners looking for low-maintenance animals with quirky behavior.

By Nico Avelle

The tree frog is a small, agile amphibian best known for its climbing ability and vocal nighttime habits. These frogs are typically found in warm, moist environments across the central and southeastern United States, though they can thrive in many habitats with a nearby water source.

By Nico Avelle

The Pacman frog, also known as the South American horned frog, is one of the most popular amphibians in the pet world—and for good reason.

By Nico Avelle

If you're out during a desert rainstorm and hear something that sounds like a squeaky toy, don't panic. You might be hearing the rain frog—a tiny, burrowing amphibian that spends most of its life hidden underground.

By Nico Avelle

Axolotls aren't just adorable; they're a marvel of biology and genetics. The different types of axolotl morphs showcase a range of stunning colors, patterns and genetic traits. From golden to glowing, here's a look at some of the most eye-catching axolotl morphs.

By Nico Avelle

Axolotl colors can be a little misleading; what you see online is wildly different from what exists in, well, the wild.

By Nico Avelle

Axolotl life expectancy might not sound like a burning topic, but once you learn what these amphibians can do, you’ll be hooked.

By Nico Avelle

Despite their charm and regenerative powers, axolotls face many threats in the wild.

By Nico Avelle