The largest amphibians ever recorded, ranked by maximum body length — from the Chinese giant salamander to the Suriname toad.
Quick answer: 1. Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus), 2. Thompson's Caecilian (Caecilia thompsoni), 3. Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus), 4. Greater Siren (Siren lacertina), 5. Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), 6. Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), 7. Cane Toad (Rhinella marina), 8. Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath), 9. African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), 10. Suriname Toad (Pipa pipa).
Amphibians are generally small, but a few species grow to remarkable sizes. This list ranks the largest amphibians by maximum recorded body length, from nose to tail tip. Most of the species on this list — the giant salamanders, the caecilians, and the Goliath frog — are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, overharvesting, and the spread of chytrid fungus. The Chinese giant salamander, which tops the list, is critically endangered and has been hunted nearly to extinction for food and traditional medicine.
The Chinese giant salamander is the world's largest amphibian. The largest reliably recorded specimen measured 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and weighed up to 65 kg. It is critically endangered due to overharvesting and habitat loss.
Thompson's caecilian is the largest of the legless amphibians. It can reach lengths of up to 1.5 m, though most specimens are smaller. Caecilians are burrowing amphibians found in tropical regions.
The Japanese giant salamander is the second-largest salamander species. It can reach up to 1.4 m in length and is protected under Japanese law as a special natural monument.
The greater siren is an eel-like aquatic salamander found in the southeastern United States. It can reach up to 98 cm in length and retains its external gills throughout life.
The hellbender is the largest amphibian in North America. It is a fully aquatic salamander that can reach up to 74 cm, though the average is closer to 30–50 cm.
The mudpuppy is a large, fully aquatic salamander found in North American lakes and rivers. It can reach up to 49 cm in length and retains its external gills as an adult.
The cane toad is the largest toad species. The largest recorded specimen weighed 2.65 kg and measured 38 cm from snout to vent. Native to Central and South America, it is invasive in Australia.
The Goliath frog is the largest frog in the world. It can reach up to 32 cm in body length (snout-to-vent) and weigh up to 3.3 kg. It is found only in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
The African bullfrog is one of the largest frogs in the world. Males can reach up to 24.5 cm in snout-to-vent length and weigh over 2 kg.
The Suriname toad is a flat, leaf-shaped aquatic frog found in the Amazon basin. Females can reach up to 20 cm in length, and they are famous for their unusual method of carrying eggs embedded in the mother's back.
| # | Name | Order | Range | Max weight | Conservation status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus) | Urodela (salamanders) | China (mountain streams) | ~65 kg | Critically Endangered |
| 2 | Thompson's Caecilian (Caecilia thompsoni) | Gymnophiona (caecilians) | Colombia, South America | ~1 kg | Data Deficient |
| 3 | Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) | Urodela (salamanders) | Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku) | ~35 kg | Near Threatened |
| 4 | Greater Siren (Siren lacertina) | Urodela (salamanders) | Southeastern United States | ~1.5 kg | Least Concern |
| 5 | Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) | Urodela (salamanders) | Eastern United States | ~2.5 kg | Vulnerable |
| 6 | Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) | Urodela (salamanders) | Eastern North America | ~0.9 kg | Least Concern |
| 7 | Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) | Anura (frogs) | Central and South America (invasive in Australia) | ~2.65 kg | Least Concern |
| 8 | Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath) | Anura (frogs) | Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea | ~3.3 kg | Endangered |
| 9 | African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) | Anura (frogs) | Sub-Saharan Africa | ~2 kg | Least Concern |
| 10 | Suriname Toad (Pipa pipa) | Anura (frogs) | Amazon basin, South America | ~0.5 kg | Least Concern |
Amphibians are ranked by maximum verified body length in meters, drawn from scientific literature, museum specimens, and authoritative databases. Snout-to-vent length (SVL) measurements have been converted to total length where necessary. Historical records that cannot be verified by modern specimens are excluded.
The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the largest amphibian, reaching up to 1.8 m in length and 65 kg.
The Goliath frog (Conraua goliath) is the largest frog, reaching up to 32 cm in body length and 3.3 kg.
Yes. The Chinese giant salamander is critically endangered due to overharvesting for food and traditional medicine, as well as habitat loss and water pollution.