Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Michigan in October

26 reptiles and amphibians are active in Michigan in October, and 12 are at peak. Peak species include the Green Frog, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Spring Peeper, and Northern Leopard Frog.

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

Full 12-month Michigan calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Michigan, by group and month

Group
Snakes	1	7	11	13	13	13	12	12	8	4	1
Lizards		1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Turtles	1	4	6	6	6	6	6	6	6
Frogs and Toads	2	8	8	9	8	8	8	8	7	6
Salamanders	2	6	6	6	5	5	5	6	5	2

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

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At peak in October 12

Snakes

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersBlue-spotted SalamanderAmbystoma laterale

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

Shoulder season in October 14

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

shoulder

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

shoulder

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

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.

Michigan in October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Michigan in October?

26 reptiles and amphibians are active in Michigan in October, and 12 are at peak. Peak species include the Green Frog, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Spring Peeper, and Northern Leopard Frog.

Are venomous snakes active in Michigan in October?

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