The Amphibians of Vietnam

Being that Vietnam has an extensive amount of freshwater, it’s able to support an impressive array of amphibians. This class of wildlife includes frogs, toads, and salamanders, all of which can be found throughout Vietnam.

The nation’s rugged backcountry, lack of conservation infrastructure, and challenges with illegal logging and wildlife trafficking have all led to a general underestimation of the amphibian biodiversity in the nation.

Many recorded species have virtually no information regarding population status or distribution. While this causes ecologists to lose a bit of sleep, it is an exciting aspect of wildlife tourism in Vietnam. As a visitor to Vietnam’s jungles, forests, and waterways, one can be met with the incredible surprise of many rare or uncommon critters.

The Amphibians of Vietnam

Up to 10/2022 Vietnam has 295 species of Amphibians With 115 endemic species, we decided to make a list and some of the most interesting, in no particular order to show you.

List of Vietnam’s Amphibians

Source on: https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/ 10/2022

No.	English Name	Latinh Name
1		Hylarana montivaga
2		Amolops chunganensis
3		Amolops compotrix
4		Amolops cremnobatus
5		Amolops cucae
6		Amolops daorum
7		Amolops iriodes
8		Amolops mengyangensis
9		Amolops minutus
10		Amolops ottorum
11		Amolops shihaitaoi
12		Amolops spinapectoralis
13		Amolops tonkinensis
14		Amolops viridimaculatus
15		Amolops vitreus
16		Amolops wenshanensis
17		Amolops yatseni
18		Atympanophrys gigantica
19		Bombina microdeladigitora
20		Boulenophrys brachykolos
21		Boulenophrys caobangensis
22		Boulenophrys daweimontis
23		Boulenophrys fansipanensis
24		Boulenophrys frigida
25		Boulenophrys hoanglienensis
26		Boulenophrys jingdongensis
27		Boulenophrys minor
28		Boulenophrys palpebralespinosa
29		Boulenophrys rubrimera
30		Brachytarsophrys feae
31		Brachytarsophrys intermedia
32		Bufo andrewsi
33		Bufo cryptotympanicus
34		Bufo gargarizans
35		Bufo luchunnicus
36		Bufo pageoti
37		Chirixalus doriae
38		Chirixalus nongkhorensis
39		Duttaphrynus melanostictus
40		Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis
41		Feihyla palpebralis
42		Fejervarya limnocharis
43		Fejervarya moodiei
44		Glyphoglossus guttulatus
45		Glyphoglossus molossus
46		Glyphoglossus yunnanensis
47		Gracixalus ananjevae
48		Gracixalus gracilipes
49		Gracixalus jinxiuensis
50		Gracixalus lumarius
51		Gracixalus nonggangensis
52		Gracixalus quangi
53		Gracixalus quyeti
54		Gracixalus sapaensis
55		Gracixalus supercornutus
56		Gracixalus trieng
57		Gracixalus yunnanensis
58		Gracixalus ziegleri
59		Hoplobatrachus chinensis
60		Humerana lateralis
61		Hyla annectans
62		Hyla chinensis
63		Hyla simplex
64		Hylarana erythraea
65		Hylarana macrodactyla
66		Hylarana taipehensis
67		Ichthyophis catlocensis
68		Ichthyophis chaloensis
69		Ichthyophis kohtaoensis
70		Ichthyophis nguyenorum
71		Ingerophrynus galeatus
72		Ingerophrynus macrotis
73		Kalophrynus cryptophonus
74		Kalophrynus honbaensis
75		Kalophrynus interlineatus
76		Kaloula indochinensis
77		Kaloula mediolineata
78		Kaloula pulchra
79		Kurixalus appendiculatus
80		Kurixalus baliogaster
81		Kurixalus banaensis
82		Kurixalus bisacculus
83		Kurixalus gracilloides
84		Kurixalus hainanus
85		Kurixalus motokawai
86		Kurixalus odontotarsus
87		Kurixalus verrucosus
88		Kurixalus viridescens
89		Leptobrachella aerea
90		Leptobrachella applebyi
91		Leptobrachella ardens
92		Leptobrachella bidoupensis
93		Leptobrachella botsfordi
94		Leptobrachella bourreti
95		Leptobrachella crocea
96		Leptobrachella eos
97		Leptobrachella firthi
98		Leptobrachella graminicola
99		Leptobrachella isos
100		Leptobrachella kalonensis
101		Leptobrachella macrops
102		Leptobrachella maculosa
103		Leptobrachella melica
104		Leptobrachella minima
105		Leptobrachella nahangensis
106		Leptobrachella namdongensis
107		Leptobrachella niveimontis
108		Leptobrachella nyx
109		Leptobrachella pallida
110		Leptobrachella petrops
111		Leptobrachella pluvialis
112		Leptobrachella puhoatensis
113		Leptobrachella pyrrhops
114		Leptobrachella rowleyae
115		Leptobrachella sungi
116		Leptobrachella tadungensis
117		Leptobrachella tuberosa
118		Leptobrachella ventripunctata
119		Leptobrachella yingjiangensis
120		Leptobrachium ailaonicum
121		Leptobrachium banae
122		Leptobrachium chapaense
123		Leptobrachium guangxiense
124		Leptobrachium leucops
125		Leptobrachium lunatum
126		Leptobrachium masatakasatoi
127		Leptobrachium mouhoti
128		Leptobrachium ngoclinhense
129		Leptobrachium pullum
130		Leptobrachium xanthospilum
131		Limnonectes bannaensis
132		Limnonectes dabanus
133		Limnonectes fastigatus
134		Limnonectes gyldenstolpei
135		Limnonectes kiziriani
136		Limnonectes kohchangae
137		Limnonectes nguyenorum
138		Limnonectes phuyenensis
139		Limnonectes poilani
140		Limnonectes quangninhensis
141		Limnonectes taylori
142		Microhyla aurantiventris
143		Microhyla berdmorei
144		Microhyla butleri
145		Microhyla daklakensis
146		Microhyla darevskii
147		Microhyla fissipes
148		Microhyla heymonsi
149		Microhyla minuta
150		Microhyla neglecta
151		Microhyla ninhthuanensis
152		Microhyla picta
153		Microhyla pineticola
154		Microhyla pulchra
155		Micryletta erythropoda
156		Micryletta inornata
157		Micryletta melanops
158		Micryletta menglienica
159		Micryletta nigromaculata
160		Nanohyla annamensis
161		Nanohyla arboricola
162		Nanohyla hongiaoensis
163		Nanohyla marmorata
164		Nanohyla nanapollexa
165		Nanohyla pulchella
166		Nanorana aenea
167		Nanorana yunnanensis
168		Nidirana chapaensis
169		Nidirana lini
170		Occidozyga lima
171		Occidozyga martensii
172		Odorrana absita
173		Odorrana andersonii
174		Odorrana bacboensis
175		Odorrana banaorum
176		Odorrana chapaensis
177		Odorrana chloronota
178		Odorrana fengkaiensis
179		Odorrana geminata
180		Odorrana gigatympana
181		Odorrana grahami
182		Odorrana graminea
183		Odorrana jingdongensis
184		Odorrana junlianensis
185		Odorrana khalam
186		Odorrana lipuensis
187		Odorrana margaretae
188		Odorrana morafkai
189		Odorrana mutschmanni
190		Odorrana nasica
191		Odorrana orba
192		Odorrana tiannanensis
193		Odorrana trankieni
194		Odorrana yentuensis
195		Ophryophryne elfina
196		Ophryophryne gerti
197		Ophryophryne microstoma
198		Ophryophryne pachyproctus
199		Ophryophryne poilani
200		Ophryophryne synoria
201		Ophryphryne hansi
202		Oreolalax sterlingae
203		Papurana attigua
204		Papurana milleti
205		Paramesotriton deloustali
206		Paramesotriton guangxiensis
207		Philautus abditus
208		Philautus catbaensis
209		Philautus maosonensis
210		Phrynoidis asper
211		Polypedates braueri
212		Polypedates colletti
213		Polypedates impresus
214		Polypedates megacephalus
215		Polypedates mutus
216		Pulchrana glandulosa
217		Quasipaa acanthophora
218		Quasipaa boulengeri
219		Quasipaa courtoisi
220		Quasipaa delacouri
221		Quasipaa spinosa
222		Quasipaa taoi
223		Quasipaa verrucospinosa
224		Rana johnsi
225		Raorchestes gryllus
226		Raorchestes longchuanensis
227		Raorchestes menglaensis
228		Raorchestes parvulus
229		Rhacophorus annamensis
230		Rhacophorus bipunctatus
231		Rhacophorus calcaneus
232		Rhacophorus exechopygus
233		Rhacophorus helenae
234		Rhacophorus hoabinhensis
235		Rhacophorus hoanglienensis
236		Rhacophorus kio
237		Rhacophorus larissae
238		Rhacophorus marmoridorsum
239		Rhacophorus orlovi
240		Rhacophorus rhodopus
241		Rhacophorus robertingeri
242		Rhacophorus trangdinhensis
243		Rhacophorus vanbanicus
244		Rhacophorus viridimaculatus
245		Rohanixalus vittatus
246		Romerus calcarius
247		Romerus feii
248		Sylvirana annamitica
249		Sylvirana cubitalis
250		Sylvirana guentheri
251		Sylvirana maosonensis
252		Sylvirana montosa
253		Sylvirana nigrovittata
254		Theloderma albopunctatum
255		Theloderma annae
256		Theloderma asperum
257		Theloderma auratum
258		Theloderma bicolor
259		Theloderma corticale
260		Theloderma gordoni
261		Theloderma hekouense
262		Theloderma khoii
263		Theloderma laeve
264		Theloderma lateriticum
265		Theloderma nebulosum
266		Theloderma palliatum
267		Theloderma petilum
268		Theloderma ryabovi
269		Theloderma truongsonense
270		Theloderma vietnamense
271		Tylototriton anguliceps
272		Tylototriton pasmansi
273		Tylototriton sparreboomi
274		Tylototriton thaiorum
275		Tylototriton vietnamensis
276		Tylototriton ziegleri
277		Vampyrius vampyrus
278		Vietnamophryne cuongi
279		Vietnamophryne inexpectata
280		Vietnamophryne orlovi
281		Vietnamophryne vuquangensis
282		Xenophrys maosonensis
283		Xenophrys pachyproctus
284		Xenophrys truongsonensis
285		Zhangixalus dennysi
286		Zhangixalus dorsoviridis
287		Zhangixalus duboisi
288		Zhangixalus dugritei
289		Zhangixalus feae
290		Zhangixalus franki
291		Zhangixalus hungfuensis
292		Zhangixalus jodiae
293		Zhangixalus nigropunctatus
294		Zhangixalus pachyproctus
295		Zhangixalus puerensis

Frogs and Toads in Vietnam

The moist forests, vast wetlands, and considerable changes in elevation throughout Vietnam have produced one of the world’s best habitats for frog and toad species. Just don’t try to find your Prince Charming or you might end up in the emergency room.

Yunnan Spiny Frog

Having brown and blackish skin with small yellow/brown nodules all over, the Yunnan Spiny Frog is a rather bland-looking critter. If you ask a local about it, though, they’ll likely tell you that this frog used to be on a dinner menu just down the street. Yunnan Spiny Frogs are listed as endangered IUCN due to over-harvesting and over-consumption by humans.

Males can grow up to 10 cm in length and their preferred habitat is moss-covered rocks around the river and creek beds. Spotting one is becoming a less common occurrence, so you’ll have to look carefully if you’re hoping to find one in the wild. Between April and June, you can find their eggs in shallow creeks.

Vampire Flying Frog

One of the coolest and most impressive animals in all of Vietnam, the Vampire Flying Frog lives up to its name. High up in Vietnam’s “cloud forests”, the climate is entirely different from the stereotypical heat and humidity of the jungle forests. Here, the ground is virtually always moist and it produces year-round fungal buildup, perfect for fanged (yes, fanged) Vampire Flying Frogs.

As tadpoles, this species carries sharp black fangs, something unseen in any other frog species. Theories as to why they’ve evolved to have such a trait range from feeding expertise to wild folklore. Unfortunately, these frogs are endemic to a very limited region of Vietnam’s high elevation forests, and thus, are under increasing pressure due to climate change and habitat loss.

Helen’s Tree Frog

Much like the Vampire Flying Frog, the Helen’s Flying Frog was recently discovered and carries similar attributes in that its main defense mechanism is the ability to glide long distances in the air.

These frogs are known for their bright green coloration, relatively massive webbed hands and feet, and large arms that give them an extra ability to glide freely through the canopy. Relying on lowland forests near wetlands, their populations are under direct and imminent threats from logging and development.

Thorny Tree Frog

Perhaps the most unique frog in Vietnam, the Thorny Tree Frog has blazed its own path of survival in Vietnam’s sharp, cold mountainsides. Its pink and white coloration is complemented by a layer of white spine-like structures that grow during the breeding season (for the males).

While known for its alien-like appearance, the Thony Tree Frog’s uncommon method of incubation has also captivated scientists. In Vietnam’s moist mountain forests, trees often snap leaving short hollow stumps that quickly fill with water. The frogs will lay their eggs in these isolated breeding pools, providing an extra layer of protection against predators.

Vietnamese Mossy Frog

Decked out in camouflage, the Vietnamese Mossy Frog has some strikingly unique characteristics. Most often found in small cave-like crevices along Vietnam’s limestone cliff-sides, they attach themselves to rock formations in order to appear as though they are moss growth.

Hunting mainly insects, they also have interesting defense mechanisms which include rolling into a ball in hopes that predators will assume they are simply a clump of foliage. They also have an uncanny ability to “throw” their voices long distances, which is an act of deception making the exact location of their current standing almost impossible to predict.

Frogs of Mount Fansipan

With unique features come unique habitats, Mount Fansipan has been identified as a specific location of rich biodiversity and imminent conservation needs. The amphibians of Fansipan face uncertain futures as climate change drives environmental shifts that often cause upward migration of other species, including potential new predators.

Mao-Son Horned Frog

This grumpy-looking Mao-Son Horned Frog is found in two distinct regions: the south of China and the Fansipan ecoregion. Not only is it an important species to the Fansipan ecosystem but it also provides herpetologists and conservationists with insight into amphibian protection.

The Mao-Son Horned Frog, known for its brawny eyebrow-like horned ridges above its eyes, has tadpoles that have very different appearances from typical tadpoles. This means that identifying this species at this stage is possible.

Ailao Moustache Toad

The Ailao Moustache Toad (Leptobrachium ailaonicum) develops a row of sharp spine-like features above their mouths, an armored mustache, that they use in defense of their eggs against other males. It’s also known as the Ailao spiny toad, Ailao moustache toad, or Yunnan moustache toad.

Sterling’s Toothed Toad

The Sterling’s Toothed Toad is one of the world’s most endangered frog species. Its huge back legs and large protruding eyes give it a striking appearance. Traditionally it was thought that this species was endemic to a tiny portion of high elevation cloud forest in Vietnam.

However, it’s been found that the species is either adapting to lower elevation habitats or has dispersed previously into multiple varying ecological niches. This is great news for a frog species that was thought to be on the brink of extinction just a few years ago.

Newts and Salamanders in Vietnam

Vietnam’s mountains cut through humid jungles and create an incredible layered system of habitats that includes countless cold-running creeks and rivers where newts and salamanders are most at home. Like the rest of Vietnam’s biodiversity, the last decade has seen both alarming declines in populations and exciting new discoveries of previously unknown species of newts and salamanders.

Tom Dao Salamander (The Vietnamese Salamander)

The Tom Dao Salamander‘s rusty orange appearance makes it look like a miniature prehistoric lizard. One of Vietnam’s most popular endemic species, it has unfortunately been subjected to widespread capture, breeding, and trafficking as a pet or even as a flavoring for alcoholic drinks.

Newts, like most amphibian species, provide forests with a gauge of ecosystem health and as the Tom Dao Newt continues to decline, it will become harder and harder for Vietnamese people to rely on natural indicators of forest health.

Vietnamese Crocodile Newt

The crocodile newt is the richest genus of Newts in the world, with Vietnam being home to a few very unique species of crocodile newts, like the Vietnamese Crocodile Newt. This small charred-black colored newt thrives in dense bamboo forests placed near creeks, ponds, or river beds.

The shrinking availability of dense undisturbed bamboo forests and water quality are increasingly becoming status issues for the Vietnamese Crocodile Newt. Their almost fully black appearance has traditionally made it difficult to differentiate them from other species in the same genus, such as the Ziegler’s Crocodile Newt.

Ziegler’s Crocodile Newt

Given the nickname “the amphibian from hell” due to its dark black coloration, this newt looks and acts very similarly to the Vietnamese Crocodile Newt. It’s a bit smaller, darker, and has some general morphological differences, like different patterns of ridges on its back and orange-tipped fingers and toes.

While some newts are water-based for much of the year, this newt uses the water for breeding season and then spends most of its time near water but not in it.

Himalayan Newt

The Himalayan Newt has a widespread distribution in high elevation forests across Southeast Asia and India. Its dark purple, orange, or ruby coloring as an adult gives it a fairly unique appearance compared to other newts of the region. Unlike some of Vietnam’s fragile endemic species, the Himalayan Newt is resilient to habitat changes and variations.

In the country’s mountain forests or high elevation farmlands, these little guys can be found both near to and far from human presence.

Black-knobby Newt

The Black-knobby Newt is particularly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances and is, therefore, extremely difficult to find in the mountain habitats of northern Vietnam. It is also a mainly terrestrial newt and relies on small, moist crevices within bamboo forests to burrow and forage.

It follows in the other crocodile newts’ footsteps in that it is dark black with some bright orange highlights. But it has a more defined spinal ridge and its size varies.

Important Members of the Food Chain

Oftentimes in Vietnam, amphibians will be grouped together for decades and identified as a single species when in fact, the observed animals are of many different species and sub-species. The incredible habitats of Vietnam support one of the world’s most rich pools of species, and for those who wish to see them, you should head to the mountain forests and lowland areas.