Ecoregion
Southern California Coast Reptiles and Amphibians by Month
Coastal sage scrub, canyons and big cities cover the Southern California coast. Western Fence Lizards and Common Side-blotched Lizards are the most-reported herps. Southern Alligator Lizards live in yards. The list includes several introduced species, like the Italian Wall Lizard and African Clawed Frog. June is the busiest month, and the Western Rattlesnake and Red Diamond Rattlesnake live here.
52 species3 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 Southern California Coast, by group and month
| Group | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes | 10 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
| Lizards | 10 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 8 |
| Turtles | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Frogs and Toads | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Salamanders | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).
Keep Herp Calendar free
Hi, I'm Nick. I built Herp Calendar on my own and I keep it free, with no ads. If it has helped you find a herp this season, a small tip goes straight into the hosting and the data work. Only if you can spare it. Either way, I'm glad you're here.
45 species at peak or shoulder in September
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
peak
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulder
shoulderAbout Southern California Coast
When are reptiles and amphibians most active in the Southern California Coast?
June is the busiest month in the Southern California Coast, with 39 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active all year.
What reptiles and amphibians live in the Southern California Coast?
52 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 20 lizards, 19 snakes, 5 frogs and toads, 5 salamanders, and 3 turtles. The most-reported are the Western Fence Lizard, Common Side-blotched Lizard, and Southern Alligator Lizard.
Are there venomous snakes in the Southern California Coast?
Yes. The Western Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, and Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake live here. Don't handle them.
Which reptiles and amphibians in the Southern California Coast are introduced?
The Pond Slider, American Bullfrog, Green Anole, and Italian Wall Lizard 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.