This list includes 23 Amphibians that start with M, from “Madagascar rainbow frog” to “Mudpuppy”. It covers frogs, salamanders and newts worldwide, useful for field ID, classroom reference, and casual study.
Amphibians that start with M are species whose common names begin with the letter M. Many are well-known, like the colorful “Madagascar rainbow frog”, often featured in conservation stories and nature guides.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Lifespan, Notes.
Common name: The everyday name helps you quickly recognize a species in field guides or casual lists.
Scientific name: The accepted Latin binomial links you to precise species identity and formal research.
Habitat: Brief ecosystem and region notes help you know where to look for each species in nature.
Lifespan: Typical wild or captive age ranges give you a sense of longevity and care expectations.
Notes: Short remarks include range, behavior, or conservation flags that add useful context for you.
Amphibians that start with M
| Name | Scientific name | Habitat | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marbled Salamander | Ambystoma opacum | Deciduous forests, eastern USA | 8–15 |
| Mole Salamander | Ambystoma talpoideum | Bottomland forests, wetlands, SE USA | 6–12 |
| Mud Salamander | Pseudotriton montanus | Acidic woodland streams, E North America | 8–12 |
| Mudpuppy | Necturus maculosus | Cold lakes and rivers, eastern N America | 12–25 |
| Mexican axolotl | Ambystoma mexicanum | Lakes and canals, Mexico (native) | 10–15 |
| Mountain chicken | Leptodactylus fallax | Forest and stream edges, Dominica & Saint Lucia | 8–12 |
| Marsh Frog | Pelophylax ridibundus | Marshes, ponds, Europe and W Asia | 4–10 |
| Moor Frog | Rana arvalis | Wet meadows, forests, Europe and Asia | 5–10 |
| Mexican spadefoot | Spea multiplicata | Deserts and grasslands, SW USA & Mexico | 5–8 |
| Mexican burrowing toad | Rhinophrynus dorsalis | Tropical lowlands, Mexico to Central America | 4–7 |
| Masked Tree Frog | Smilisca phaeota | Lowland forests, Central America | 3–6 |
| Mexican Tree Frog | Smilisca baudinii | Lowland forests and gardens, Mexico–Central America | 3–6 |
| Mossy Frog | Theloderma corticale | Limestone forests, Vietnam and nearby | 8–12 |
| Madagascar rainbow frog | Scaphiophryne gottlebei | Rocky outcrops, southern Madagascar | 5–8 |
| Mediterranean Tree Frog | Hyla meridionalis | Warm Mediterranean regions, Europe & N Africa | 3–6 |
| Mediterranean painted frog | Discoglossus pictus | Mediterranean ponds and irrigation channels | 3–6 |
| Mountain yellow-legged frog | Rana muscosa | Cold mountain streams, California, USA | 5–10 |
| Mountain chorus frog | Pseudacris brachyphona | Montane woodlands and meadows, Appalachians | 3–5 |
| Many-lined Salamander | Stereochilus marginatus | Swamps and bottomland forests, SE USA | 6–10 |
| Marbled reed frog | Hyperolius marmoratus | Savannas and wetlands, sub-Saharan Africa | 3–5 |
| Malabar gliding frog | Rhacophorus malabaricus | Canopy and plantations, Western Ghats, India | 5–10 |
| Marbled newt | Triturus marmoratus | Ponds and woodlands, Iberian Peninsula & France | 8–12 |
| Monte Iberia eleuth | Eleutherodactylus iberia | Humid forests, Monte Iberia, Cuba | 2–4 |
Descriptions
Marbled Salamander
Nocturnal woodland salamander with bold white crossbands; breeds in fall-winter pools.
Mole Salamander
Stout, secretive ambystoma that burrows in leaf litter and breeds in ephemeral ponds.
Mud Salamander
Red-brown salamander often seen under logs near slow-moving streams; climbs vegetation when breeding.
Mudpuppy
Fully aquatic salamander with external gills; common in rocky, well-oxygenated waters.
Mexican axolotl
Famous neotenic salamander that retains gills; popular in labs and as pets, critically endangered in wild.
Mountain chicken
Very large frog historically important as food; population collapsed due to chytrid fungus.
Marsh Frog
Large green frog of wetlands; loud croak and strong swimmer.
Moor Frog
Small brown frog notable for winter cold tolerance and breeding migrations.
Mexican spadefoot
Burrowing toad with spade-like hind feet; breeds explosively in temporary pools.
Mexican burrowing toad
Stout, fossorial toad with a pointed snout adapted for digging; feeds on ants and termites.
Masked Tree Frog
Arboreal frog with dark mask stripe; common in disturbed and natural forest habitat.
Mexican Tree Frog
Adaptable treefrog often near human habitation; vocal breeder around ponds.
Mossy Frog
Distinctive bumpy, moss-like skin provides excellent camouflage on rocks and trees.
Madagascar rainbow frog
Colorful, squat frog with bright patterns; breeds in rocky seasonal pools.
Mediterranean Tree Frog
Large treefrog often found near ponds and gardens in mild climates.
Mediterranean painted frog
Sturdy frog with spotted pattern; tolerates a range of brackish and freshwater habitats.
Mountain yellow-legged frog
Stream-dwelling frog adapted to high elevations; severely threatened by disease and habitat loss.
Mountain chorus frog
Tiny high-elevation chorus frog with clear breeding calls in spring.
Many-lined Salamander
Small, secretive salamander with many dorsal lines; favors mucky, vegetated wetlands.
Marbled reed frog
Small treefrog with marbled pattern; often heard over reedbeds at night.
Malabar gliding frog
Large treefrog that glides using webbed feet; nests foam on leaves above water.
Marbled newt
Elegant newt with marbled pattern; aquatic in breeding season, terrestrial otherwise.
Monte Iberia eleuth
Tiny, critically endangered frog endemic to a small Cuban area; lives among leaf litter.