Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Colorado in October

28 reptiles and amphibians are active in Colorado in October, and 19 are at peak. Peak species include the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake, Prairie Lizard, and Prairie Rattlesnake.

Counted from iNaturalist research-grade observations recorded inside Colorado. Seasons shift across the state, so for a closer match, pick your ecoregion.

Full 12-month Colorado calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Colorado, by group and month

Group
Snakes			5	15	17	17	16	16	14	11	5	1
Lizards		2	6	12	13	13	13	13	12	7	3
Turtles		2	3	5	5	5	5	5	5	4	3
Frogs and Toads	1	1	3	5	9	9	9	9	8	5	2	1
Salamanders		1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

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

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At peak in October 19

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

peak

SnakesLined SnakeTropidoclonion lineatum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesPlains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix

peak

SnakesPlains Hognose SnakeHeterodon nasicus

peak

SnakesPrairie RattlesnakeCrotalus viridis

venomous

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

peak

SnakesWestern MilksnakeLampropeltis gentilis

peak

SnakesWestern Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Side-blotched LizardUta stansburiana

peak

LizardsPlateau Fence LizardSceloporus tristichus

peak

LizardsPrairie LizardSceloporus consobrinus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesOrnate Box TurtleTerrapene ornata

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

peak

Frogs and ToadsPlains Leopard FrogLithobates blairi

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersWestern Tiger SalamanderAmbystoma mavortium

Shoulder season in October 9

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsEastern Collared LizardCrotaphytus collaris

shoulder

LizardsGreater Short-horned LizardPhrynosoma hernandesi

shoulder

LizardsPlateau Striped WhiptailAspidoscelis velox

shoulder

LizardsSix-lined RacerunnerAspidoscelis sexlineatus

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWoodhouse's ToadAnaxyrus woodhousii

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.

Colorado in October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Colorado in October?

28 reptiles and amphibians are active in Colorado in October, and 19 are at peak. Peak species include the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Gopher Snake, Prairie Lizard, and Prairie Rattlesnake.

Are venomous snakes active in Colorado in October?

Yes. The Prairie Rattlesnake can be active in October. Watch where you step and don't handle them.