Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Pennsylvania in May

45 reptiles and amphibians are active in Pennsylvania in May, and 39 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Common Garter Snake, Eastern Newt, and Green Frog.

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 May 39

Snakes

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesQueensnakeRegina septemvittata

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesShort-headed Garter SnakeThamnophis brachystoma

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

peak

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

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 Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

peak

TurtlesNorthern Red-bellied CooterPseudemys rubriventris

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

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

SalamandersAllegheny Mountain Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus ochrophaeus

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

peak

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

peak

SalamandersSpring SalamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticus

peak

SalamandersWehrle's SalamanderPlethodon wehrlei

Shoulder season in May 6

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

shoulder

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

shoulder

SalamandersSeal SalamanderDesmognathus monticola

shoulder

SalamandersValley and Ridge SalamanderPlethodon hoffmani

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 May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Pennsylvania in May?

45 reptiles and amphibians are active in Pennsylvania in May, and 39 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Common Garter Snake, Eastern Newt, and Green Frog.

Are venomous snakes active in Pennsylvania in May?

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