Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Illinois in March

46 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in March, and 37 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Painted Turtle, Pond Slider, and American Bullfrog.

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

Full 12-month Illinois calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Illinois, by group and month

Group
Snakes		7	16	25	25	20	17	18	21	20	12	3
Lizards			3	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	1
Turtles	1	3	6	7	7	7	7	6	7	5	2	1
Frogs and Toads	1	9	10	12	11	9	10	9	12	12	10	3
Salamanders	2	9	11	11	7			1	9	10	9	1

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

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At peak in March 37

Snakes

peak

SnakesBlack KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon WormsnakeCarphophis amoenus

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesDiamondback WatersnakeNerodia rhombifer

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesPlain-bellied WatersnakeNerodia erythrogaster

peak

SnakesPlains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix

peak

SnakesPrairie KingsnakeLampropeltis calligaster

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

peak

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

Turtles

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsBlanchard's Cricket FrogAcris blanchardi

peak

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

peak

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersMole SalamanderAmbystoma talpoideum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Zigzag SalamanderPlethodon dorsalis

peak

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

peak

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

peak

SalamandersWestern Lesser SirenSiren nettingi

Shoulder season in March 9

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

shoulder

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

shoulder

SnakesWestern Ribbon SnakeThamnophis proximus

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

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.

Illinois in March

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Illinois in March?

46 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in March, and 37 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Painted Turtle, Pond Slider, and American Bullfrog.

Are venomous snakes active in Illinois in March?

Yes. The Northern Cottonmouth can be active in March. Watch where you step and don't handle them.