Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Illinois in February

28 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in February, and 9 are at peak. Peak species include the Pond Slider, Southern Leopard Frog, Spring Peeper, and Spotted Salamander.

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

Full 12-month Illinois calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Illinois, by group and month

Group
Snakes		7	16	25	25	20	17	18	21	20	12	3
Lizards			3	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	1
Turtles	1	3	6	7	7	7	7	6	7	5	2	1
Frogs and Toads	1	9	10	12	11	9	10	9	12	12	10	3
Salamanders	2	9	11	11	7			1	9	10	9	1

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

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At peak in February 9

Turtles

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersMole SalamanderAmbystoma talpoideum

peak

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

peak

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

Shoulder season in February 19

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

shoulder

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

shoulder

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesPlain-bellied WatersnakeNerodia erythrogaster

shoulder

SnakesPlains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsBlanchard's Cricket FrogAcris blanchardi

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Zigzag SalamanderPlethodon dorsalis

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.

Illinois in February

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Illinois in February?

28 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in February, and 9 are at peak. Peak species include the Pond Slider, Southern Leopard Frog, Spring Peeper, and Spotted Salamander.

Are venomous snakes active in Illinois in February?

Yes. The Northern Cottonmouth can be active in February. Watch where you step and don't handle them.