Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Illinois in November

34 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in November, and 13 are at peak. Peak species include the DeKay's Brownsnake, Blanchard's Cricket Frog, Green Frog, and Central Ratsnake.

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 November 13

Snakes

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesWestern Ribbon SnakeThamnophis proximus

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsBlanchard's Cricket FrogAcris blanchardi

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersMole SalamanderAmbystoma talpoideum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

Shoulder season in November 21

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

shoulder

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesPlain-bellied WatersnakeNerodia erythrogaster

shoulder

SnakesPlains Garter SnakeThamnophis radix

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

shoulder

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen TreefrogDryophytes cinereus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Zigzag SalamanderPlethodon dorsalis

shoulder

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

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 November

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Illinois in November?

34 reptiles and amphibians are active in Illinois in November, and 13 are at peak. Peak species include the DeKay's Brownsnake, Blanchard's Cricket Frog, Green Frog, and Central Ratsnake.

Are venomous snakes active in Illinois in November?

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