Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Minnesota in April

22 reptiles and amphibians are active in Minnesota in April, and 12 are at peak. Peak species include the Painted Turtle, Common Garter Snake, Common Snapping Turtle, and Wood Frog.

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

Full 12-month Minnesota calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Minnesota, by group and month

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

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

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At peak in April 12

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

peak

SnakesPlains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix

Lizards

peak

LizardsPrairie SkinkPlestiodon septentrionalis

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersBlue-spotted SalamanderAmbystoma laterale

Shoulder season in April 10

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

shoulder

SnakesWestern FoxsnakePantherophis ramspotti

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

shoulder

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsCope's Gray Tree FrogDryophytes chrysoscelis

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Tiger SalamanderAmbystoma tigrinum

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.

Minnesota in April

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Minnesota in April?

22 reptiles and amphibians are active in Minnesota in April, and 12 are at peak. Peak species include the Painted Turtle, Common Garter Snake, Common Snapping Turtle, and Wood Frog.

Are venomous snakes active in Minnesota in April?

No venomous snakes on this list are active in Minnesota in April.