Ecoregion
Cascades Reptiles and Amphibians by Month
The Cascades are cool, wet and forested, so amphibians outnumber reptiles. Western Toads, Cascades Frogs and Rough-skinned Newts are the ones people find most. Garter snakes are the common snakes. April is the peak, and high country stays quiet until the snow melts. The Western Rattlesnake reaches the drier edges.
29 species1 venomous
Peak and shoulder ratings are rough guidance, not a schedule. Weather, elevation and the year can shift any species by weeks.
Rare and protected species are left off on purpose. Look, don't take, and never handle a venomous snake.
Species out in Cascades, by group and month
| Group | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |||
| Lizards | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | ||||
| Frogs and Toads | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | ||
| Salamanders | 4 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 5 |
Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).
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21 species at peak or shoulder in September
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shoulderAbout Cascades
When are reptiles and amphibians most active in the Cascades?
April is the busiest month in the Cascades, with 22 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from March through November.
What reptiles and amphibians live in the Cascades?
29 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 11 salamanders, 7 snakes, 6 frogs and toads, and 5 lizards. The most-reported are the Western Toad, Pacific Chorus Frog, and Cascades Frog.
Are there venomous snakes in the Cascades?
Yes. The Western Rattlesnake lives here. Don't handle them.
Which reptiles and amphibians in the Cascades are introduced?
The American Bullfrog is not native here.
Where does this data come from?
Activity calendars are built from iNaturalist research-grade observations (downloaded through GBIF, September 2026), corrected for how many people are out observing each month. Rare and protected species are left off on purpose.