Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Pennsylvania in October

39 reptiles and amphibians are active in Pennsylvania in October, and 19 are at peak. Peak species include the Common Garter Snake, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Pond Slider, and Northern Two-lined Salamander.

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 October 19

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesQueensnakeRegina septemvittata

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

Lizards

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersAllegheny Mountain Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus ochrophaeus

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

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

SalamandersSeal SalamanderDesmognathus monticola

peak

SalamandersWehrle's SalamanderPlethodon wehrlei

Shoulder season in October 20

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

shoulder

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

shoulder

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

shoulder

SnakesShort-headed Garter SnakeThamnophis brachystoma

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

TurtlesEastern Musk TurtleSternotherus odoratus

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Red-bellied CooterPseudemys rubriventris

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

shoulder

SalamandersFour-toed SalamanderHemidactylium scutatum

shoulder

SalamandersSpring SalamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticus

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 October

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Pennsylvania in October?

Are venomous snakes active in Pennsylvania in October?

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