Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Oregon in May

42 reptiles and amphibians are active in Oregon in May, and 24 are at peak. Peak species include the Pacific Chorus Frog, Western Fence Lizard, Northwestern Garter Snake, and Common Garter Snake.

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

Full 12-month Oregon calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Oregon, by group and month

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

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

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At peak in May 24

Snakes

peak

SnakesAquatic Garter SnakeThamnophis atratus

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesNorthern Rubber BoaCharina bottae

peak

SnakesNorthwestern Garter SnakeThamnophis ordinoides

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesWestern RattlesnakeCrotalus oreganus

venomous

peak

SnakesWestern Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Sagebrush LizardSceloporus graciosus

peak

LizardsCommon Side-blotched LizardUta stansburiana

peak

LizardsDesert Collared LizardCrotaphytus bicinctores

peak

LizardsDesert Horned LizardPhrynosoma platyrhinos

peak

LizardsLong-nosed Leopard LizardGambelia wislizenii

peak

LizardsNorthern Alligator LizardElgaria coerulea

peak

LizardsPygmy Short-horned LizardPhrynosoma douglasii

peak

LizardsSouthern Alligator LizardElgaria multicarinata

peak

LizardsWestern Fence LizardSceloporus occidentalis

peak

LizardsWestern SkinkPlestiodon skiltonianus

peak

LizardsWestern WhiptailAspidoscelis tigris

Turtles

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

introduced

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreat Basin SpadefootSpea intermontana

peak

Frogs and ToadsPacific Chorus FrogPseudacris regilla

Shoulder season in May 18

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCommon Sharp-tailed SnakeContia tenuis

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsCoastal Tailed FrogAscaphus truei

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsColumbia Spotted FrogRana luteiventris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Red-legged FrogRana aurora

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWestern ToadAnaxyrus boreas

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersCascade Torrent SalamanderRhyacotriton cascadae

shoulder

SalamandersClouded SalamanderAneides ferreus

shoulder

SalamandersColumbia Torrent SalamanderRhyacotriton kezeri

shoulder

SalamandersDel Norte SalamanderPlethodon elongatus

shoulder

SalamandersDunn's SalamanderPlethodon dunni

shoulder

SalamandersEnsatinaEnsatina eschscholtzii

shoulder

SalamandersLong-toed SalamanderAmbystoma macrodactylum

shoulder

SalamandersNorthwestern SalamanderAmbystoma gracile

shoulder

SalamandersOregon Slender SalamanderBatrachoseps wrighti

shoulder

SalamandersPacific Giant SalamanderDicamptodon tenebrosus

shoulder

SalamandersRough-skinned NewtTaricha granulosa

shoulder

SalamandersSouthern Torrent SalamanderRhyacotriton variegatus

shoulder

SalamandersWestern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon vehiculum

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.

Oregon in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Oregon in May?

42 reptiles and amphibians are active in Oregon in May, and 24 are at peak. Peak species include the Pacific Chorus Frog, Western Fence Lizard, Northwestern Garter Snake, and Common Garter Snake.

Are venomous snakes active in Oregon in May?

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