Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Illinois in September

53 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in September, and 37 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, American Bullfrog, DeKay's Brownsnake, and Blanchard's Cricket Frog.

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).

Keep Herp Calendar free

Hi, I'm Nick. I built Herp Calendar on my own and I keep it free, with no ads. If it has helped you find a herp this season, a small tip goes straight into the hosting and the data work. Only if you can spare it. Either way, I'm glad you're here.

Leave a tip

At peak in September 37

Snakes

peak

SnakesBlack KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesDiamondback WatersnakeNerodia rhombifer

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

peak

SnakesPlain-bellied WatersnakeNerodia erythrogaster

peak

SnakesQueensnakeRegina septemvittata

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

peak

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

peak

SnakesWestern Ribbon SnakeThamnophis proximus

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

peak

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

Turtles

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesFalse Map TurtleGraptemys pseudogeographica

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsBlanchard's Cricket FrogAcris blanchardi

peak

Frogs and ToadsCope's Gray Tree FrogDryophytes chrysoscelis

peak

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen TreefrogDryophytes cinereus

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

peak

Frogs and ToadsPlains Leopard FrogLithobates blairi

peak

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersMole SalamanderAmbystoma talpoideum

Shoulder season in September 16

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesEastern FoxsnakePantherophis vulpinus

shoulder

SnakesPlains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix

shoulder

SnakesPrairie KingsnakeLampropeltis calligaster

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsSix-lined RacerunnerAspidoscelis sexlineatus

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Zigzag SalamanderPlethodon dorsalis

shoulder

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

shoulder

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

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 September

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Illinois in September?

53 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in September, and 37 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, American Bullfrog, DeKay's Brownsnake, and Blanchard's Cricket Frog.

Are venomous snakes active in Illinois in September?

Yes. The Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Copperhead, and Timber Rattlesnake can be active in September. Watch where you step and don't handle them.