Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Kentucky in September

38 reptiles and amphibians are active in Kentucky in September, and 25 are at peak. Peak species include the Central Ratsnake, American Toad, Green Frog, and Eastern Fence Lizard.

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 September 25

Snakes

peak

SnakesBlack KingsnakeLampropeltis nigra

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

peak

SnakesQueensnakeRegina septemvittata

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

peak

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

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

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

Shoulder season in September 13

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesCommon WormsnakeCarphophis amoenus

shoulder

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsCommon Wall LizardPodarcis muralis

introduced

shoulder

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

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

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

shoulder

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

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 September

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Kentucky in September?

38 reptiles and amphibians are active in Kentucky in September, and 25 are at peak. Peak species include the Central Ratsnake, American Toad, Green Frog, and Eastern Fence Lizard.

Are venomous snakes active in Kentucky in September?

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