Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Kentucky in October

38 reptiles and amphibians are active in Kentucky in October, and 23 are at peak. Peak species include the Central Ratsnake, American Toad, Common Garter Snake, and Green Frog.

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

Full 12-month Kentucky calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Kentucky, by group and month

Group
Snakes	1	2	12	18	18	18	16	16	15	12	7	1
Lizards		1	4	5	5	5	4	4	4	3	1
Turtles		2	4	6	6	6	5	4	3	2	2
Frogs and Toads	4	10	12	12	10	11	11	9	9	9	7
Salamanders	9	14	17	15	11	10	6	6	7	12	9	9

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

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At peak in October 23

Snakes

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

Lizards

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

peak

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsCope's Gray Tree FrogDryophytes chrysoscelis

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen TreefrogDryophytes cinereus

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Cricket FrogAcris crepitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

peak

SalamandersSeal SalamanderDesmognathus monticola

Shoulder season in October 15

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesBlack KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

shoulder

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Zigzag SalamanderPlethodon dorsalis

shoulder

SalamandersRavine SalamanderPlethodon richmondi

shoulder

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

shoulder

SalamandersSpring SalamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticus

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.

Kentucky in October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Kentucky in October?

38 reptiles and amphibians are active in Kentucky in October, and 23 are at peak. Peak species include the Central Ratsnake, American Toad, Common Garter Snake, and Green Frog.

Are venomous snakes active in Kentucky in October?

Yes. The Eastern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake can be active in October. Watch where you step and don't handle them.