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What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Washington in October

26 reptiles and amphibians are active in Washington in October, and 14 are at peak. Peak species include the Pacific Chorus Frog, Northwestern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake, and Rough-skinned Newt.

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

Full 12-month Washington calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Washington, by group and month

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

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

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At peak in October 14

Snakes

Common Garter Snake

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

Northwestern Garter Snake

peak

SnakesNorthwestern Garter SnakeThamnophis ordinoides

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

peak

SnakesWestern Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans

Lizards

Common Side-blotched Lizard

peak

LizardsCommon Side-blotched LizardUta stansburiana

Frogs and Toads

American Bullfrog

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

introduced

Coastal Tailed Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsCoastal Tailed FrogAscaphus truei

Northern Red-legged Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Red-legged FrogRana aurora

Pacific Chorus Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsPacific Chorus FrogPseudacris regilla

Salamanders

Dunn's Salamander

peak

SalamandersDunn's SalamanderPlethodon dunni

Ensatina

peak

SalamandersEnsatinaEnsatina eschscholtzii

Olympic Torrent Salamander

peak

SalamandersOlympic Torrent SalamanderRhyacotriton olympicus

Pacific Giant Salamander

peak

SalamandersPacific Giant SalamanderDicamptodon tenebrosus

Rough-skinned Newt

peak

SalamandersRough-skinned NewtTaricha granulosa

Western Red-backed Salamander

peak

SalamandersWestern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon vehiculum

Shoulder season in October 12

Snakes

Gopher Snake

shoulder

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

North American Racer

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

Western Rattlesnake

shoulder

SnakesWestern RattlesnakeCrotalus oreganus

venomous

Lizards

Northern Alligator Lizard

shoulder

LizardsNorthern Alligator LizardElgaria coerulea

Western Fence Lizard

shoulder

LizardsWestern Fence LizardSceloporus occidentalis

Turtles

Painted Turtle

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

Pond Slider

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

Cascades Frog

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsCascades FrogRana cascadae

Western Toad

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWestern ToadAnaxyrus boreas

Salamanders

Long-toed Salamander

shoulder

SalamandersLong-toed SalamanderAmbystoma macrodactylum

Northwestern Salamander

shoulder

SalamandersNorthwestern SalamanderAmbystoma gracile

Van Dyke's Salamander

shoulder

SalamandersVan Dyke's SalamanderPlethodon vandykei

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.

Washington in October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Washington in October?

26 reptiles and amphibians are active in Washington in October, and 14 are at peak. Peak species include the Pacific Chorus Frog, Northwestern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake, and Rough-skinned Newt.

Are venomous snakes active in Washington in October?

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