Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Massachusetts in April

27 reptiles and amphibians are active in Massachusetts in April, and 21 are at peak. Peak species include the Painted Turtle, Common Garter Snake, American Toad, and Eastern Red-backed Salamander.

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

Full 12-month Massachusetts calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Massachusetts, by group and month

Group
Snakes		1	5	8	10	10	10	10	10	8	6	1
Lizards				1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Turtles		2	3	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	1
Frogs and Toads		2	5	8	9	8	8	9	9	8	4
Salamanders	1	4	6	6	6	4	3	4	5	6	3	2

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

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At peak in April 21

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

peak

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

Shoulder season in April 6

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

shoulder

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsItalian Wall LizardPodarcis siculus

introduced

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

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.

Massachusetts in April

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Massachusetts in April?

27 reptiles and amphibians are active in Massachusetts in April, and 21 are at peak. Peak species include the Painted Turtle, Common Garter Snake, American Toad, and Eastern Red-backed Salamander.

Are venomous snakes active in Massachusetts in April?

No venomous snakes on this list are active in Massachusetts in April.