Ecoregion
Southwestern Tablelands Reptiles and Amphibians by Month
Canyons, mesas and grassland breaks make up the Southwestern Tablelands. Prairie Lizards are the most-reported herp. Eastern Collared Lizards sit on top of rocks. Ornate Box Turtles walk the grasslands after rain. June is the busiest month, and the Prairie Rattlesnake and Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake live here.
36 species2 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 Southwestern Tablelands, by group and month
| Group | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes | 3 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 4 | |||
| Lizards | 1 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Turtles | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Frogs and Toads | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Salamanders | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).
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28 species at peak or shoulder in September
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shoulderAbout Southwestern Tablelands
When are reptiles and amphibians most active in the Southwestern Tablelands?
June is the busiest month in the Southwestern Tablelands, with 35 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from April through October.
What reptiles and amphibians live in the Southwestern Tablelands?
36 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 12 snakes, 11 lizards, 8 frogs and toads, 4 turtles, and 1 salamander. The most-reported are the Prairie Lizard, Woodhouse's Toad, and Gopher Snake.
Are there venomous snakes in the Southwestern Tablelands?
Yes. The Prairie Rattlesnake and Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake live here. Don't handle them.
Which reptiles and amphibians in the Southwestern Tablelands are introduced?
The American Bullfrog is 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.