Amphibians

The large-eyed ensatina is just one of the many amphibians that live in Willapa National Wildlife Refuge/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

The abundance of freshwater wetlands, ponds and streams, moist soil and dead trees on the refuge is a haven for amphibians. Some common, some rare - Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is home to a diversity of salamanders, newts and frogs.

  • Coastal Giant Salamander

    The coastal giant salamander is a rare find at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

    Growing up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length, this salamander is indeed a giant. Learn more about this rare find...

  • Coastal Tailed Frog

    The coastal tailed frog is highly adapted to the cold, fast streams of the Pacific Northwest/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

    Inhabitants of cold, fast flowing streams tailed frogs are rarely seen during daylight hours. Discover more about this secretive frog...

  • Dunn's Salamander

    The Dunn's salamander can be easily confused another long, slender salamander - the long-toed salamander/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

    "If it runs, it's a Dunn's!" Easily confused with the long-toed salamander, the Dunn's salamander will move quickly if encountered. Uncover more about this shy salamander...

  • Ensatina

    The ensatina has large eyes that help it hunt in dark borrows and inside soft logs/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

    The large, dark eyes of the ensatina help it to hunt in burrows, dead logs and debris piles. Find out why this salamander bears a name that mean "sword that is small"...

  • Northwestern Salamander

    The toothless grin of the northwestern salamander is indicative of the amphibian family/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

    These large, plain-looking salamanders are forest dwellers, hunting underground, inside soft logs or brush piles. Learn more about the northwestern salamander's poison glands...

  • Pacific Treefrog

    The Pacific treefroh has a distinctive stripe from its nose to its shoulder/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

    Small and noisy, the Pacific treefrog is commonly heard throughout the refuge. Discover how to recognize the distinctive calls and songs of this frog...

  • Red-legged Frog

    The red-legged frog is a common site in wet refuge forests/Photo Courtesy of Jackson D Shedd

    Commonly found in wet forests, this large frog varies in color but always has reddish legs. Uncover more about how the refuge is helping this frog to thrive..

  • Rough-skinned Newt

    Visitors the the refuge often encounter the rough-skinned newt along trails on damp days/Photo Courtesy of Dr. Madeline Kalbach

    A common site in refuge ponds and along trails, the rough-skinned newt emits a toxin from glands on the back of its head. Learn more about the unusual behaviors of the rough-skinned newt...

  • Western Red-backed Salamander

    Not often seen, the western red-backed salamander is one of the most abundant salamanders at the refuge/Photo Courtesy of Dr. Madeline Kalbach

    Small and slender, the Western red-backed salamander lives entirely in the forest. Unlike its name, these salamanders can be a range of colors from yellow to red. Find out how to identify this salamander...

  • Western Toad

    The warty skin of the western toad is an easy way to identify this species.

    The western toad has bumpy, warty skin that distinguishes it from the refuge's frog species. Discover more unique facts about this toad...

  • American Bullfrog

    The American bullfrog has invaded many of the warmer refuge wetlands and ponds/Photo Courtesy of Suzy Whittey

    A non-native invader, the American bullfrog has a big appetite to match its large size. With few predators to keep the population in balance, the bullfrog has gobbled-up native amphibians with ease. Uncover more about this large-mouthed intruder...