Amphibians Of Europe: A List Of Amazing European Amphibians

European amphibians list with pictures and facts: discover the amazing amphibians of Europe.

Of the three amphibian groups – Anura (Frogs), Caudata (Salamanders) and Gymnophiona (Caecilians) – only two (frogs and salamanders) are present in Europe; caecilians are absent from the continent.

It may not be home to giant, predatory hellbenders, or deadly poison dart frogs, but Europe does have its share of amazing amphibians.

On this page you’ll find: frogs that carry their eggs around with them, ghostly salamanders that live in caves and sense light with their skin, and newts whose sharp ribs emerge through their skin to sting potential predators!

Scroll down to meet some amazing European amphibians …

European Amphibians List

Alpine Newt

Scientific Name: Ichthyosaura alpestris
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The alpine newt is native to many parts of Central and Eastern Europe. There is also an isolated population in Spain, and an introduced population in Great Britain.

As its name suggests, the Alpine newt is found in mountainous regions. However, the species is also present in a variety of other habitats. Early in the year, the male develops striking breeding colours.

Alpine Salamander

Scientific Name: Salamandra atra
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The Alpine salamander is found in the Alps, usually at elevations of 800 to 2,000 m. It has a number of subspecies, one of which is completely black. Other subspecies are marked to varying degrees with yellow / gold spots.

The Alpine salamander is fully terrestrial; unlike most other salamanders it does not need a body of water for reproduction. Mating takes place on land, and the female gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Gestation can take up to 3 years, and the newly-born young can be up to 50 mm in length.

Common Parsley Frog

Scientific Name: Pelodytes punctatus
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The common parsley frog is a small frog found in France, Spain, Portugal and Northwestern Italy. It has warty grey / olive-grey skin that is covered in green patches (the patches are the colour of parsley, hence the frog’s name).

The species’ distinctive high-pitched croaking can be heard during the breeding season.

Common Spadefoot Toad / Garlic Toad

Scientific Name: Pelobates fuscus
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The common spadefoot toad is found from Central Europe to Western Asia. Its pale grey / grey-brown skin is covered in irregular darker patches.

The species has a loud alarm call, and when threatened will also secrete noxious chemicals that smell of garlic – hence the species’ common name, the 'garlic toad'.

Common Toad

Scientific Name: Bufo bufo
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The common toad is found throughout Europe, and is the continent’s fourth most common amphibian. It is a member of the ‘true toad’ family, Bufonidae. Like all members of this family it has a conspicuous poison gland located on either side of the neck behind the eye.

This warty-skinned amphibian migrates to the same breeding pool every year.

You can find out more about this species here: Common Toad Facts

Edible Frog

Scientific Name: Pelophylax kl. esculentus
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The edible frog is the second most common amphibian found in Europe. In France, its legs are eaten as a delicacy (hence the species’ name). The species is part of the ‘green frog’ species complex – a group of very closely-related species which also contains the marsh frog and pool frog.

The edible frog grows to around 11 cm. It is bright green in colour, with yellow and black markings. It usually has a yellow stripe running along the centre of its back. When calling it inflates two large air sacs; one on either side of the head.

European Common Frog / Common Frog / Grass Frog

Scientific Name: Rana temporaria
Conservation Status: Least Concern

Also known as the European common brown frog, the common frog and the grass frog, the European common frog is Europe’s most common amphibian. It is present throughout the continent, usually living in or near ponds and marshes. Common frogs found in northern European countries hibernate during the winter.

You can find out more about the European common frog here: Common Frog Facts

European Fire Salamander

Scientific Name: Salamandra salamandra
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The fire salamander is one of the commonest salamanders in Europe, and is found in forest and woodland habitats throughout most of mainland Europe. The species is black with patches of yellow. It grows to lengths of around 25 cm, with some individuals occasionally reaching lengths of over 30cm.

You can find out more about this species here: Fire Salamander Facts

European Fire-Bellied Toad

Scientific Name: Bombina bombina
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The European fire-bellied toad is one of several fire-bellied toad species found in Europe. It is a small, warty-skinned animal, rarely exceeding body lengths of 5 cm. Its back is dull green with black markings. As its name suggests, the undersides of the fire-bellied toad are bright yellow-orange.

If threatened, the fire-bellied toad will play dead, flipping onto its back and displaying its brightly-coloured belly.

European Green Toad

Scientific Name: Bufo viridis
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The pale skin of the European green toad is covered with an attractive pattern of darker patches and spots. This hardy European amphibian lives in a variety of habitats, including mountains and semi-deserts.

You can hear the European green toad calling in the video below:

European Tree Frog / Common Tree Frog

Scientific Name: Hyla arborea
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The European Tree Frog is found throughout much of mainland Europe, as well as in parts of Africa and Asia. Growing to just 4.3 cm in length, this small frog is bright green in colour with a dark stripe running along each side of the body.

The European Tree Frog is the only member of the tree frog family Hylidae native to mainland Europe.

Great Crested Newt / Northern Crested Newt / Warty Newt

Scientific Name: Triturus cristatus
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The great crested newt is also known as the warty newt on behalf of its bumpy skin. It is large for a newt, with females (the larger of the sexes) reaching lengths of up to 16 cm.

During the breeding season the male develops a ragged crest along its back and a smoother crest along its tail.

Iberian Ribbed Newt / Sharp-Ribbed Newt / Spanish ribbed Newt

Scientific Name: Pleurodeles waltl
Conservation Status: Near Threatened

The Iberian ribbed newt is one of the most amazing amphibians found in Europe. The species is present in southern Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It grows up to 30 cm (12 in) in length.

When the animal is threatened, its sharp ribs puncture through the skin on either side of its body. Toxins are also secreted by the amphibian’s skin. The sharp ribs, combined with the toxin, will sting any predator attempting to eat the newt.

Karpathos Frog

Scientific Name: Pelophylax cerigensis
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

The Karpathos frog is a critically endangered European amphibian found on the Karpathos Island, Greece. It is found in the slow-moving waters of a single river in the mountains of the Northern side of the island. The species’ critically endangered status is caused by habitat loss.

Marsh Frog

Scientific Name: Pelophylax ridibundus
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The marsh frog is the largest frog found in Europe. It is a member of the ‘green frog’ species complex – a group of closely-related frogs that also includes the edible frog and the pool frog. The marsh frog reaches lengths of 17 cm, and ranges from green to grey in colour. As with all members of the green frog complex, a single green line is usually present running along the centre of the frog’s back.

Common Midwife Toad

Scientific Name: Alytes obstetricans
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The common midwife toad is a small amphibian found in Western Europe. It is one of a group of frogs known as the ‘midwife frogs’. The males of this group carry the eggs around with them on their legs until the eggs are ready to hatch. The frog’s call sounds like an electronic beep.

Natterjack Toad

Scientific Name: Epidalea calamita
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The natterjack toad is found in sandy heaths and coastal areas, living by shallow ponds in the dunes. It is found throughout much of North and Western Europe.

The species has short legs and walks rather than hops. It grows to around 7cm in length and has a yellow line running along the centre of its back. This feature can be used to differentiate it from the common toad.

Olm

Scientific Name: Proteus anguinus
Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The olm is a salamander found in the Dinaric Alps (a mountain range in Southern and South-eastern Europe). The olm is Europe’s only cave-dwelling vertebrate. Unlike most other amphibians, the olm lives its entire life in the water, retaining its gills even in adulthood.

The olm has pale, white skin. Although blind, it is able to sense light with its skin. It will swim away from light.

Smooth Newt / Common Newt

Scientific Name: Lissotriton vulgaris
Conservation Status: Least Concern

The smooth newt is the third most common amphibian in Europe. This brown / olive – coloured amphibian grows to around 10 cm, and is widespread across much of northern Europe. The smooth newt gets its name from the relative smoothness of its skin. The species hibernates during the winter.