Ecoregion
Southern Rockies Reptiles and Amphibians by Month
The Southern Rockies are high, cold mountains with a short season. Western Terrestrial Garter Snakes are the most-reported herp. Western Tiger Salamanders and Boreal Chorus Frogs breed in mountain ponds. May is the busiest month. The Prairie Rattlesnake reaches the lower slopes.
17 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 Southern Rockies, by group and month
| Group | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |||
| Lizards | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 1 | ||||
| Frogs and Toads | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |||
| Salamanders | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).
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12 species at peak or shoulder in September
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shoulderAbout Southern Rockies
When are reptiles and amphibians most active in the Southern Rockies?
May is the busiest month in the Southern Rockies, with 15 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from April through September.
What reptiles and amphibians live in the Southern Rockies?
17 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 6 snakes, 6 lizards, 4 frogs and toads, and 1 salamander. The most-reported are the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Western Tiger Salamander, and Gopher Snake.
Are there venomous snakes in the Southern Rockies?
Yes. The Prairie Rattlesnake lives here. Don't handle them.
Which reptiles and amphibians in the Southern Rockies are introduced?
The Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail 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.