Ecoregion

Northern Lakes and Forests Reptiles and Amphibians by Month

Lakes, bogs and north woods cover this region. American Toads and Green Frogs are the most common amphibians. Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs call right after the thaw. Painted Turtles bask on every lake. May is the busiest month, and no venomous snakes made the list here.

27 species

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 Northern Lakes and Forests, by group and month

Group
Snakes	2	4	9	9	9	9	8	4	2
Lizards		1	1	1	1	1	1
Turtles	2	2	4	4	4	4	2	2
Frogs and Toads	2	6	8	8	8	8	8	7	1
Salamanders	3	5	5	4	2	4	4	4	1

Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).

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23 species at peak or shoulder in September

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsMink FrogLithobates septentrionalis

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

shoulder

SalamandersBlue-spotted SalamanderAmbystoma laterale

shoulder

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

SnakesEastern FoxsnakePantherophis vulpinus

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

About Northern Lakes and Forests

When are reptiles and amphibians most active in the Northern Lakes and Forests?

May is the busiest month in the Northern Lakes and Forests, with 24 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from April through October.

What reptiles and amphibians live in the Northern Lakes and Forests?

27 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 9 snakes, 8 frogs and toads, 5 salamanders, 4 turtles, and 1 lizard. The most-reported are the American Toad, Green Frog, and Painted Turtle.

Are there venomous snakes in the Northern Lakes and Forests?

No venomous snakes have enough records in the Northern Lakes and Forests to make this list.

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.