hhA complete list of endemic amphibians is here. 

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Amphibian biodiversity is highest in humid, tropical regions. Within North America, the highest amphibian diversity is in the southeast. Although California's ranid diversity is comparatively low, the amphibian endemism found within the State is higher than any other; and the region's salamander diversity exceeds nearly every other part of the world except for (though by a wide margin) the Appalachian Mountains and Central America. Amphibians also represent the greatest percent of endemism among California organisms, with roughly 65% of our 71 species found only in our region. Low mobility within our complex landscape is thought to be responsible for this.

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There are distinguished anurans found in California - the ancient tailed frog (Ascaphus truei), the showy Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus), the relictual black toad (Anaxyrus exul), the spadefoots (Spea and Scaphiophus spp.), and the once-abundant yellow-legged frogs (Rana spp.). 

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Salamanders within the region are particularly distinctive. The ensatina, although widespread, forms the textbook "ring species" with 7 divergent subspecies encircling California. The California giant salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus) is one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in the world. The California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) is one of the region's most recognizable endangered species. 

 

California's contribution to salamander diversity, however, becomes most exciting when looking at four restricted (or nearly so) genera. The extroverted Pacific newts, genus Taricha, contains some of the most poisonous amphibians in North America. Three of four species are restricted to California. The genus Aneides, notable for their prehensile tails, include species which are capable of climbing trees: the Arboreal salamander (A. lugubris) and the wandering salamander (A. vagrans), which can be found high in the redwood canopy. 

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The genus Batrachoseps, a group of worm-like, tiny-legged plethodontids accounts for half of the region's salamanders. One of California's hallmark stories of evolution, the Batrachoseps, or slender salamanders, are surprisingly specious in areas where harsh environments drive geographic barriers. This has resulted in a high diversity of salamanders in arid parts of Southern California such as Kern County, which contains as many salamanders as verdant Mendocino County, thanks to Batrachoseps. Small, overlooked, and often mischaracterized by biologists as being identical across their range, Batrachoseps are well worth getting to know. This genus contains species which may be found in chaparral, talus piles, in gardens, in mountains, on beaches. The genus includes the only salamander species known to fully inhabit the desert.

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The genus Hydromantes, whose closest relatives (Speleomantes) are in Italy and France, are endemic to the Sierra and Shasta Ranges. Alongside Speleomantes, these so-called web-toed salamanders, were dubbed "the world's most interesting salamanders" by evolutionary biologist Vance Vredenberg. These genera hold the distinction of having the longest tongue of any amphibian. A web-toed salamander literally fires part of its skeleton out of its body like a missile to capture prey, and is the only animal known to do so. The web-toed salamanders inhabit harsh environments, sometimes above the snow line, in caves, or in the crevices of rock walls. 

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