Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Indiana in May

45 reptiles and amphibians are active in Indiana in May, and 40 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Green Frog, and Painted Turtle.

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

Full 12-month Indiana calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Indiana, by group and month

Group
Snakes		2	5	12	13	13	11	11	9	7	4
Lizards			1	3	3	3	3	3	3	1
Turtles		3	4	6	6	6	6	6	5	2	1
Frogs and Toads		8	10	12	12	11	11	10	10	9	4
Salamanders	2	9	11	13	11	10	3	4	5	6	3	2

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

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At peak in May 40

Snakes

peak

SnakesBlack KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesCommon WormsnakeCarphophis amoenus

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesQueensnakeRegina septemvittata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

peak

LizardsSix-lined RacerunnerAspidoscelis sexlineatus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

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 ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

peak

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersJefferson SalamanderAmbystoma jeffersonianum

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

Shoulder season in May 5

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWestern Chorus FrogPseudacris triseriata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Tiger SalamanderAmbystoma tigrinum

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.

Indiana in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Indiana in May?

45 reptiles and amphibians are active in Indiana in May, and 40 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Green Frog, and Painted Turtle.

Are venomous snakes active in Indiana in May?

Yes. The Eastern Copperhead can be active in May. Watch where you step and don't handle them.