Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in New Jersey in October

37 reptiles and amphibians are active in New Jersey in October, and 17 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Garter Snake, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Eastern Fence Lizard, and Central Ratsnake.

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

Full 12-month New Jersey calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across New Jersey, by group and month

Group
Snakes		1	8	14	15	15	15	14	13	12	5	2
Lizards		1	3	4	4	4	4	4	3	2	1
Turtles		3	6	6	7	7	7	6	6	6	2
Frogs and Toads		5	10	12	12	11	12	12	11	10	4
Salamanders	2	4	6	9	8	6	5	6	8	7	4	2

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

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At peak in October 17

Snakes

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

Lizards

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen TreefrogDryophytes cinereus

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Cricket FrogAcris crepitans

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

Shoulder season in October 20

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

shoulder

SnakesPine SnakePituophis melanoleucus

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsItalian Wall LizardPodarcis siculus

introduced

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesEastern Mud TurtleKinosternon subrubrum

shoulder

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Red-bellied CooterPseudemys rubriventris

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsCarpenter FrogLithobates virgatipes

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

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.

New Jersey in October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in New Jersey in October?

Are venomous snakes active in New Jersey in October?

No venomous snakes on this list are active in New Jersey in October.