Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Pennsylvania in April

47 reptiles and amphibians are active in Pennsylvania in April, and 35 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Common Garter Snake, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, and Eastern Newt.

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

Full 12-month Pennsylvania calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Pennsylvania, by group and month

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

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

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At peak in April 35

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesQueensnakeRegina septemvittata

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

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 ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersAllegheny Mountain Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus ochrophaeus

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

peak

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

peak

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

peak

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

peak

SalamandersSpring SalamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticus

peak

SalamandersValley and Ridge SalamanderPlethodon hoffmani

peak

SalamandersWehrle's SalamanderPlethodon wehrlei

Shoulder season in April 12

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

shoulder

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

shoulder

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

shoulder

SnakesShort-headed Garter SnakeThamnophis brachystoma

shoulder

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

shoulder

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersJefferson SalamanderAmbystoma jeffersonianum

shoulder

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

shoulder

SalamandersSeal SalamanderDesmognathus monticola

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.

Pennsylvania in April

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Pennsylvania in April?

47 reptiles and amphibians are active in Pennsylvania in April, and 35 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Common Garter Snake, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, and Eastern Newt.

Are venomous snakes active in Pennsylvania in April?

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