Statewide

Massachusetts Reptiles and Amphibians by Month

Every reptile and amphibian with enough records anywhere in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts page.

30 species

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 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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29 species at peak or shoulder in September

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

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

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

LizardsItalian Wall LizardPodarcis siculus

introduced

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

About Massachusetts

When are reptiles and amphibians most active in Massachusetts?

September is the busiest month in Massachusetts, with 23 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from March through October.

What reptiles and amphibians live in Massachusetts?

30 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 10 snakes, 9 frogs and toads, 6 salamanders, 4 turtles, and 1 lizard. The most-reported are the Painted Turtle, Common Garter Snake, and American Toad.

Are there venomous snakes in Massachusetts?

No venomous snakes have enough records in Massachusetts to make this list.

Which reptiles and amphibians in Massachusetts are introduced?

The Pond Slider and Italian Wall Lizard are 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.