Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Missouri in May

55 reptiles and amphibians are active in Missouri in May, and 46 are at peak. Peak species include the Three-toed Box Turtle, Blanchard's Cricket Frog, American Toad, and Western Ratsnake.

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

Full 12-month Missouri calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Missouri, by group and month

Group
Snakes	1	5	22	23	24	20	17	19	21	20	14	3
Lizards		3	4	6	6	6	6	5	3	3	2
Turtles	1	3	5	8	10	10	9	9	8	6	4	1
Frogs and Toads	2	7	10	10	9	10	11	9	10	10	6	2
Salamanders	1	7	9	9	6	4	4	4	5	6	4

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

Keep Herp Calendar free

Hi, I'm Nick. I built Herp Calendar on my own and I keep it free, with no ads. If it has helped you find a herp this season, a small tip goes straight into the hosting and the data work. Only if you can spare it. Either way, I'm glad you're here.

Leave a tip

At peak in May 46

Snakes

peak

SnakesBanded WatersnakeNerodia fasciata

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesDiamondback WatersnakeNerodia rhombifer

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesLined SnakeTropidoclonion lineatum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesPlain-bellied WatersnakeNerodia erythrogaster

peak

SnakesPrairie KingsnakeLampropeltis calligaster

peak

SnakesPygmy RattlesnakeSistrurus miliarius

venomous

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

peak

SnakesSpeckled KingsnakeLampropeltis holbrooki

peak

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

peak

SnakesWestern RatsnakePantherophis obsoletus

peak

SnakesWestern Ribbon SnakeThamnophis proximus

peak

SnakesWestern Worm SnakeCarphophis vermis

Lizards

peak

LizardsBroad-headed SkinkPlestiodon laticeps

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

LizardsEastern Collared LizardCrotaphytus collaris

peak

LizardsPrairie LizardSceloporus consobrinus

peak

LizardsSix-lined RacerunnerAspidoscelis sexlineatus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

peak

TurtlesOrnate Box TurtleTerrapene ornata

peak

TurtlesOuachita Map TurtleGraptemys ouachitensis

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

peak

TurtlesRiver CooterPseudemys concinna

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

peak

TurtlesThree-toed Box TurtleTerrapene triunguis

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsBlanchard's Cricket FrogAcris blanchardi

peak

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersCave SalamanderEurycea lucifuga

peak

SalamandersDark-sided SalamanderEurycea melanopleura

peak

SalamandersWestern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon albagula

Shoulder season in May 9

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesRough EarthsnakeVirginia striatula

shoulder

SnakesSmooth EarthsnakeVirginia valeriae

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

shoulder

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

shoulder

SalamandersSmall-mouthed SalamanderAmbystoma texanum

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.

Missouri in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Missouri in May?

55 reptiles and amphibians are active in Missouri in May, and 46 are at peak. Peak species include the Three-toed Box Turtle, Blanchard's Cricket Frog, American Toad, and Western Ratsnake.

Are venomous snakes active in Missouri in May?

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