Statewide

Kentucky Reptiles and Amphibians by Month

Every reptile and amphibian with enough records anywhere in Kentucky, counted from observations inside the state line. Seasons can differ a lot across the state, so for a closer match, pick your ecoregion on the Kentucky page.

60 species3 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 Kentucky, by group and month

Group
Snakes	1	2	12	18	18	18	16	16	15	12	7	1
Lizards		1	4	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	1
Turtles		2	4	6	6	6	5	4	3	2	2
Frogs and Toads	4	10	12	12	10	11	11	9	9	9	7
Salamanders	9	14	17	15	11	10	6	6	7	12	9	9

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

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38 species at peak or shoulder in September

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

SnakesBlack KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

Frogs and ToadsCope's Gray Tree FrogDryophytes chrysoscelis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen TreefrogDryophytes cinereus

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Cricket FrogAcris crepitans

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

peak

SnakesQueensnakeRegina septemvittata

peak

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

peak

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

shoulder

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

LizardsCommon Wall LizardPodarcis muralis

introduced

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesCommon WormsnakeCarphophis amoenus

shoulder

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

shoulder

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

About Kentucky

When are reptiles and amphibians most active in Kentucky?

April is the busiest month in Kentucky, with 43 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from February through October.

What reptiles and amphibians live in Kentucky?

60 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 18 snakes, 17 salamanders, 14 frogs and toads, 6 turtles, and 5 lizards. The most-reported are the Eastern Newt, Central Ratsnake, and American Toad.

Are there venomous snakes in Kentucky?

Yes. The Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, and Northern Cottonmouth live here. Don't handle them.

Which reptiles and amphibians in Kentucky are introduced?

The Common Wall Lizard 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.