Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in New Jersey in May

46 reptiles and amphibians are active in New Jersey in May, and 39 are at peak. Peak species include the Green Frog, Painted Turtle, Fowler's Toad, and Common Garter Snake.

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

Full 12-month New Jersey calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across New Jersey, by group and month

Group
Snakes		1	8	14	15	15	15	14	13	12	5	2
Lizards		1	3	4	4	4	4	4	3	2	1
Turtles		3	6	6	7	7	7	6	6	6	2
Frogs and Toads		5	10	12	12	11	12	12	11	10	4
Salamanders	2	4	6	9	8	6	5	6	8	7	4	2

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 39

Snakes

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesCommon WormsnakeCarphophis amoenus

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getula

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesPine SnakePituophis melanoleucus

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

peak

LizardsItalian Wall LizardPodarcis siculus

introduced

peak

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesEastern Mud TurtleKinosternon subrubrum

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

peak

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

peak

TurtlesNorthern Red-bellied CooterPseudemys rubriventris

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 ToadsCarpenter FrogLithobates virgatipes

peak

Frogs and ToadsEastern SpadefootScaphiopus holbrookii

peak

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Cricket FrogAcris crepitans

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

Shoulder season in May 7

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

shoulder

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

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.

New Jersey in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in New Jersey in May?

46 reptiles and amphibians are active in New Jersey in May, and 39 are at peak. Peak species include the Green Frog, Painted Turtle, Fowler's Toad, and Common Garter Snake.

Are venomous snakes active in New Jersey in May?

Yes. The Eastern Copperhead can be active in May. Watch where you step and don't handle them.