IDENTIFICATION GUIDE FOR WOOD FROGS (LITHOBATES SYLVATICUS) AND SPOTTED SALAMANDERS (AMBYSTOMA MACULATUM)

Wood Frogs Wood Frog Adults: Wood frog adults are from 2.0–2.6 inches long and are most easily identified by a dark facial mask that is narrow at the snout and wide around the eye. These frogs have ridges on either side of the body and lack the expanded toe tips that treefrogs have.

Photo Credit: Todd Pierson

Wood Frog Eggs: Wood Frog eggs are deposited as submerged globular masses about the size of a grapefruit and are typically attached to vegetation. Like Spotted Salamander eggs, the presence of algae often colors the egg masses green. A good to way to identify Wood Frog eggs is by the species’ habit of communal laying–that is, you will find many egg masses clumped together (from 10-80 clutches) in the same location.

Photo Credit: Todd Pierson

Photo Credit: Kevin Messenger

Wood Frog Tadpoles: Frog tadpoles can be difficult to identify, particularly when they are small. A close-up photo will be important for confirming identification. Tadpoles of the Wood Frog have a mottled appearance, but lack a distinct pattern although there may be small markings on the tail fin. The tail fin is rounded on top and ends in a sharp point at the tail. The intestines are visible but may be partially obscured. The tadpoles reach 2.0–2.2 inches prior to transforming.

Photo Credit: Dirk Stevenson

Spotted Salamander

Spotted Salamander Adults: Spotted salamanders are stocky and large (adults from 6.0–10 inches) and are easily identified by yellow-orange spots that form two somewhat irregular rows along the back. The rest of the body is black to grey, with no spots or blotches on the belly.

Photo Credit: Dirk Stevenson

Spotted Salamander Eggs: Spotted salamander females lay their eggs in distinctive masses that are surrounded by a jelly-like layer (up to 250 eggs per mass). The egg masses are surprisingly firm to the touch, and typically become green soon after they are deposited—due to invasion by a by a type of green algae.

Photo Credit: Dirk Stevenson

Spotted Salamander Larvae: Distinguishing larval salamanders can be quite difficult, especially when they are newly hatched and very small. The presence of external gills will indicate whether the larva is that of a frog or a salamander. Spotted salamander larvae lack a dark stripe across the eyes (this stripe is characteristic of newt larvae, which share the same habitat). Spotted salamander larvae are of the “pond-type” and are moderately stout-bodied; the head is about the same width as the body.

They are olive green and lack conspicuous markings except for a poorly defined line along each side of the body.

The head is about the same width as the body.

Photo Credit: Kevin Stohlgren