Ecoregion
Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests Reptiles and Amphibians by Month
Hardwood forest mixes with farmland and ponds here. American Toads and Painted Turtles are the most-reported herps. Northern Leopard Frogs and Green Frogs live around the ponds. Common Garter Snakes are the common snake. May is the busiest month, and no venomous snakes made the list here.
27 species
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 Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests, by group and month
| Group | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes | 1 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 3 | ||
| Lizards | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Turtles | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Frogs and Toads | 2 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3 | ||
| Salamanders | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Numbers = species active that month (at peak or just starting / winding down).
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26 species at peak or shoulder in September
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shoulderAbout Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests
When are reptiles and amphibians most active in the Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests?
May is the busiest month in the Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests, with 25 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 Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests?
27 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 10 snakes, 9 frogs and toads, 5 turtles, 2 lizards, and 1 salamander. The most-reported are the American Toad, Painted Turtle, and Common Garter Snake.
Are there venomous snakes in the Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests?
No venomous snakes have enough records in the Upper Midwest Hardwood Forests to make this list.
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.