Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Massachusetts in May

30 reptiles and amphibians are active in Massachusetts in May, and 21 are at peak. Peak species include the Painted Turtle, Common Garter Snake, American Toad, and Eastern Red-backed Salamander.

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

Full 12-month Massachusetts calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Massachusetts, by group and month

Group
Snakes		1	5	8	10	10	10	10	10	8	6	1
Lizards				1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Turtles		2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	1
Frogs and Toads		2	5	8	9	8	8	9	9	8	4
Salamanders	1	4	6	6	6	4	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 21

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

Shoulder season in May 9

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsItalian Wall LizardPodarcis siculus

introduced

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

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.

Massachusetts in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Massachusetts in May?

30 reptiles and amphibians are active in Massachusetts in May, and 21 are at peak. Peak species include the Painted Turtle, Common Garter Snake, American Toad, and Eastern Red-backed Salamander.

Are venomous snakes active in Massachusetts in May?

No venomous snakes on this list are active in Massachusetts in May.