Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Massachusetts in October

27 reptiles and amphibians are active in Massachusetts in October, and 12 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Garter Snake, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Eastern Newt, and Green Frog.

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 October 12

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Lizards

peak

LizardsItalian Wall LizardPodarcis siculus

introduced

Turtles

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

Shoulder season in October 15

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

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.

Massachusetts in October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Massachusetts in October?

27 reptiles and amphibians are active in Massachusetts in October, and 12 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Garter Snake, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Eastern Newt, and Green Frog.

Are venomous snakes active in Massachusetts in October?

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