Amphibians and reptiles of Washington

Washington is home to a variety of amphibians (salamanders, frogs, and toads) and reptiles (turtles, lizards, and snakes). The scientific study of these animals is called “herpetology” and the people that study these two groups often refer to them as “herps.” Some “herps” are at risk because their populations are rare, declining, and/or dependent on specific habitat features — the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has identified these species as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” which includes species that are federal and/or state listed as sensitive, threatened, or endangered, or otherwise indicated as needing conservation attention. Some species are common, having more secure populations.

The main threat to Washington’s amphibians and reptiles is loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitat from development, agriculture, forestry practices, roads, invasive weeds, and factors related to climate change. Other threats include pollution, diseases, and invasive animal species. Aquatic invasive species are of particular concern, including American bullfrog, African clawed frog, northern green frog, common snapping turtles, spiny soft-shelled turtles, and red-eared sliders (a turtle and subspecies of pond slider). These species eat, compete with, and/or spread diseases to native species.

Please help our native herps! Report your observations of amphibians and reptiles to help us with our understanding of their distribution and status in the state for conservation purposes. Please click on individual species listed on this page for specific guidance.

NOTE: Collection or transport of Washington’s native amphibians and reptiles is permitted only for research and educational activities and requires a WDFW Scientific Collection Permit. Native amphibians and reptiles cannot be kept as pets.

To protect native wildlife, it is unlawful to release captive animals into the wild (WAC 220-450-030). This includes all pet frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Check out Don’t Let It Loose to learn why releasing your pet in the wild is never a good thing to do.

Salamanders

Mole salamanders (Family Ambystomatidae)

Giant salamanders (Family Dicamptodontidae)

Lungless salamanders (Family Plethodontidae)

Torrent salamanders (Family Rhyacotritonidae)

Newts (Family Salamandridae)

Frogs

Tailed frogs (Family Ascaphidae)

True toads (Family Bufonidae)

Treefrogs (Family Hylidae)

Spadefoot toads (Family Pelobatidae)

True frogs (Family Ranidae)

Snakes

Boas (Family Boidae)

Colubrids (Family Colubridae)

Vipers (Family Viperidae)

Resources

References

Washington Herp Atlas. 2009. A cooperative effort of Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. Map products updated March 2017. Provisional PDF version of the website (2005-2019) created July 2019. 250 pp. 

WDFW educational resources

Other resources