Ecoregion
Columbia Plateau Reptiles and Amphibians by Month
The Columbia Plateau is dry sagebrush and wheat country. Gopher Snakes are the herp people see most, often on roads. The Western Rattlesnake is common in rocky canyons. Pacific Chorus Frogs call from any wet spot in early spring. April is the busiest month.
15 species1 venomous
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.
Species out in Columbia Plateau, by group and month
| Group | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Lizards | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Turtles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| Frogs and Toads | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Salamanders | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).
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10 species at peak or shoulder in September
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peakAbout Columbia Plateau
When are reptiles and amphibians most active in the Columbia Plateau?
April is the busiest month in the Columbia Plateau, with 13 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from March through October.
What reptiles and amphibians live in the Columbia Plateau?
15 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 6 snakes, 4 frogs and toads, 3 lizards, 1 salamander, and 1 turtle. The most-reported are the Gopher Snake, Western Rattlesnake, and Pacific Chorus Frog.
Are there venomous snakes in the Columbia Plateau?
Yes. The Western Rattlesnake lives here. Don't handle them.
Which reptiles and amphibians in the Columbia Plateau are introduced?
The American Bullfrog and Pond Slider are not native here.
Where does this data come from?
Activity calendars are built from iNaturalist research-grade observations (downloaded through GBIF, September 2026), corrected for how many people are out observing each month. Rare and protected species are left off on purpose.