Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Minnesota in October

22 reptiles and amphibians are active in Minnesota in October, and 10 are at peak. Peak species include the Northern Leopard Frog, Common Garter Snake, Red-bellied Snake, and Spring Peeper.

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 October 10

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesPlains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsCanadian ToadAnaxyrus hemiophrys

peak

Frogs and ToadsMink FrogLithobates septentrionalis

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersBlue-spotted SalamanderAmbystoma laterale

peak

SalamandersEastern Tiger SalamanderAmbystoma tigrinum

Shoulder season in October 12

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

shoulder

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

shoulder

SnakesWestern FoxsnakePantherophis ramspotti

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsPrairie SkinkPlestiodon septentrionalis

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

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 October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Minnesota in October?

22 reptiles and amphibians are active in Minnesota in October, and 10 are at peak. Peak species include the Northern Leopard Frog, Common Garter Snake, Red-bellied Snake, and Spring Peeper.

Are venomous snakes active in Minnesota in October?

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