Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in New York in October

36 reptiles and amphibians are active in New York in October, and 18 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Garter Snake, Eastern Newt, Green Frog, and Eastern Red-backed Salamander.

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

Full 12-month New York calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across New York, by group and month

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

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

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At peak in October 18

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Lizards

peak

LizardsItalian Wall LizardPodarcis siculus

introduced

Turtles

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersAllegheny Mountain Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus ochrophaeus

peak

SalamandersBlue-spotted SalamanderAmbystoma laterale

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

peak

SalamandersSpring SalamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticus

Shoulder season in October 18

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

shoulder

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

shoulder

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

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 York in October

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

36 reptiles and amphibians are active in New York in October, and 18 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Garter Snake, Eastern Newt, Green Frog, and Eastern Red-backed Salamander.

Are venomous snakes active in New York in October?

Yes. The Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Copperhead can be active in October. Watch where you step and don't handle them.