Amphibians

From rainforest floors to mountain streams, amphibians connect the world’s ecosystems—and reveal the health of our planet.

The decline of amphibians tells a story about the state of our world.

Amphibians are some of the most diverse and ancient animals on Earth. They live in nearly every ecosystem—from tropical rainforests and wetlands to deserts, grasslands, and mountain streams. Highly sensitive to environmental changes, they act as an early warning system for the health of our planet.

By understanding where amphibians live, what they eat, and how they interact with other species, we uncover their critical role in ecosystems.

Protecting them is not just about saving amphibians—it’s about safeguarding the balance of life on Earth.

Meet our partners in amphibian conservation.

Click or tap a logo to visit their site and learn more about their work.

Frogs, salamanders… and who?

Amphibians include frogs, salamanders, and caecilians—an often-overlooked, legless group. Across these three lineages, their shapes, colors, and behaviors are remarkably diverse, reflecting the wide range of environments they call home.

Frogs & Toads
All toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads. These tailless amphibians live almost everywhere on Earth, especially in the tropics. Most amphibian species are frogs.
Salamanders
Salamanders are tailed amphibians with slim bodies and short limbs, mostly found in North America, including Mesoamerica, Europe, and Asia.
Caecilians
Caecilians are legless, worm-like amphibians that live mostly underground, found in tropical regions of Mesoamerica, South America, Africa, and Asia.

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Where amphibians call home

Some regions are especially rich in species: the Neotropics host nearly half of the world’s amphibians, North America is a hotspot for salamanders, and many tropical islands hold species found nowhere else on Earth.

These habitats aren’t just homes—they are lifelines. Protecting Key Biodiversity Areas, sites critical for amphibians and other threatened species, helps safeguard entire ecosystems.

To understand the challenges amphibians face, scientists compiled the second Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA2).

Over a decade, more than 1,000 experts assessed 8,011 amphibian species worldwide. Their findings reveal widespread threats—from habitat loss and disease to climate change—but also highlight opportunities where conservation can make a real difference.

2 in every 5
amphibian species are threatened with extinction
93%
of threatened amphibian species are impacted by habitat loss
4%
of amphibian populations in the United States are lost each year.
63 species
have lowered their extinction risk since 1980, demonstrating that targeted efforts can help reverse decline

Read the Report

Saving the jewels of the forest

Chytridiomycosis, a deadly fungal disease, has driven countless amphibians toward extinction around the world. Harlequin Toads have suffered dramatic declines, with nearly 40% of species missing from their known habitats and four already classified as extinct.

Through the Atelopus Survival Initiative, a coalition of governments, local communities, and conservation organizations—including Re:wild—is working to protect forests and waterways, breed populations in captivity, and search for species thought lost.

Photo: Jaime Culebras/Photo Wildlife Tours

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Rediscovering hidden species

Some amphibians haven’t been seen in over a decade and are considered “lost to science.” These species may survive in remote or difficult-to-access areas. Re:wild leads global search initiatives to rediscover these amphibians and take action before it’s too late.

Join the Search for Lost Species

Take Action

Everyone can contribute to amphibian conservation. Your support helps protect habitats, fund research, and raise awareness.

There are many simple ways to make a difference from actions you can take at home to ways to support fieldwork and recovery programs—each one helping give amphibians a fighting chance.

Support Amphibians Today

$5
One week of food in a breeding program
$20
Disease testing for an amphibian
$50
IUCN Red List assessment for a species
$100
One day teaching children about local amphibians
$500
One expert expedition to locate lost species

Re:wild is leading global amphibian conservation through research, partnerships, and on-the-ground action.

Our work focuses on reversing amphibian declines and giving these remarkable animals a chance to thrive—one ecosystem, one species, and one community at a time. Explore our stories below.