In the recent world statistics, Amphibians comprise the most endangered species of all other classes in the Animal Kingdom. With many species driven to the verge of extinction by anthropogenic activities, they are almost few or no individuals left in the wild in the case of certain species. Therefore, to introduce you all to a few of the amphibians before they go extinct, we bring to you our today’s article, “Top 10 Largest Amphibians in the World.”
10) Cane Toad
The cane toad is the largest species of the Toad Family (Bufonidae), with females noticeably longer than males, often growing to a length of 10-15 cm (4-6 in), with a longest recorded length of 24 cm (9.4 in). Cane toads come in a variety of colors and patterns, including grey, reddish, greenish, yellowish, and olive-brown. The cane toad possesses poison glands, and their skin and tadpoles are highly toxic to other animals if ingested.
- Size 10-15 cm (4-6 in)
- Scientific name Rhinella marina
- Location Americas, Australia, Philippines
9) Coastal Giant Salamander
The coastal giant salamander is the largest terrestrial salamander in North America, growing to a maximum total length of 34 cm (13 inches). Although color varies between individuals and communities, the dorsal surface among most adults is dark brown to nearly black and coated in light brown spots or marbling. Pacific giant salamanders have medium-sized eyes with brass-freckled irises, short, blunt snouts, and somewhat broad skulls.
- Size: 34 cm (13 inches)
- Scientific name: Dicamptodon tenebrosus
- Location: Pacific Northwest (California, Oregon, British Columbia)
8) The Greater Siren
They have small lungs and external gills throughout their entire lives but no hind limbs or pelvic girdles. They have an unfused pectoral girdle and possess no eyelids. Greater sirens hatch out at about 1.5 cm (0.59 in) in length and develop to lengths between 18 and 97 cm (7 to 38 in). Weight might vary between 55 to 1,000 g (1.9 to 35.3 oz). Although they come in a variety of colors, they are typically olive or grey in hue with tiny yellow or green spots on their flanks.
- Size- 7-38 in
- Scientific name- Siren lacertina
- Location- Coastal Plains of Washington DC to Florida
7) The Lake Junin Giant Frog
Sometimes referred to as the Andes smooth frog, The Lake Junin Giant Frog is a very big and critically endangered species belonging to the family Telmatobiidae. The Lake Junin Frog holds the record for one of the biggest frogs in the world and the largest completely aquatic frog. This species can reach lengths of up to 70 cm (27 in), from snout to vent. The hind legs alone can measure more than 40 cm (16 in) in length, and they can weigh up to roughly 2 kg (4.5 lb). Average adults measure 5-7 in. These frogs exhibit sexual dimorphism wherein the females are larger than the males.
- Size: 5-7 in
- Scientific name: Telmatobius macrostomus
- Location: Lake Junin
6) Hellbender
The hellbender is a giant amphibian that lives entirely in water. Typically, its body is a dark grey or brown color with scattered dark dots running along the back, and it has a flat head and wrinkly body. The hellbender is the fifth heaviest amphibian on Earth, weighing four to five pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kg), making it the largest salamander in North America. Adults are generally 20 in length but may reach up to 29 in.
- Size: 20 in
- Scientific name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
- Location: United States of America
5) African Bullfrog
The African Bullfrog is one of the largest amphibians in the world. With lengths of nearly 9.6 in and weighing up to 1.4 kg, it is the third largest frog species in the world. The African Bullfrog is exclusively a carnivore and will eat almost everything starting from insects to small rodents, birds, fishes, and also other frogs and amphibians. Males occasionally exhibit cannibalism when they feed on the tadpoles it guards.
- Size: 9.6 in (males)
- Scientific name: Pyxicephalus adspersus
- Location: Angola, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa
4) Chilean Giant Frog
The Chilean Giant Frog is one of the largest amphibians in the world. This strong helmeted water toad has a wide head and a big mouth. It can grow to a very big size, measuring up to 32 cm (13 in) for females and 15.5 cm (6 in) for males from the snout to the vent. The average maximum weight ranges between 0.5-1 kg (1.1-2.2 lb); however, some can reach even 3 kg (6.6 lb). It exceeds other huge species like the Lake Junin Frog to become the largest anuran in the Americas.
- Size: 13 in (females), 6 in (males)
- Scientific name: Calyptocephalella gayi
- Location: Central Chile and Argentina
3) Goliath Bullfrog
The next largest amphibian in the world is the largest living frog, the Goliath Bullfrog. Specimens can weigh up to 3.25 kg (7.2 lb) and reach a length from snout to vent of up to 32 cm (13 in). Their huge size helps them to push rocks up to 2 kg in weight to create little dams for their nests and make astonishing 3 m jumps. The Goliath frog typically lives in or close to swift-moving rivers with sand bottoms.
- Size:13 in
- Scientific name: Conraua goliath
- Location: Middle African Countries
2) Japanese Giant Salamander
The Japanese giant salamander is undoubtedly the third largest amphibian in the world, which can reach a maximum size of 5 ft (1.5 m) and 55 pounds (25 kg). The Japanese Giant Salamander may blend in with stream and river bottoms thanks to its spotted brown and black skin. The pattern of tubercles on the head and throat distinguishes the Japanese giant salamander from the Chinese giant salamander.
- Size: 1.5 m (5 ft)
- Scientific name: Andrias japonicus
- Location: Southwest Japan
1) South China Giant Salamander
In the first position, we have the largest living amphibian and also the largest salamander species, the South China Giant Salamander. Now critically endangered or has been extinct in the wild, this species is a close relative to the Chinese Giant Salamander. The largest species recorded measured up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and weighed nearly 40 kg. The Chinese Giant Salamander, on the other hand, grows up to 1.3 m long, with an average weight of 25-30 kg.
- Size: 5.5 ft
- Scientific name: Andrias sligoi
- Location: Southern China (Pearl River Basin)
Here, we conclude our article on “Top 10 Largest Amphibians in the World“. We will be back with more ranked articles, so stay tuned until then.
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Monty is a founder of How It See. Being a life science student in a reputed university, he always wonders about an eclectic correlation between science and nature. After engaging in various college projects, Monty determined to share all his knowledge with you as a writer. In the meantime, he loves to research and study about the various types of colorful animals.