Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in South Carolina in December

31 reptiles and amphibians are active in South Carolina in December, and 10 are at peak. Peak species include the Green Anole, Pond Slider, DeKay's Brownsnake, and Marbled Salamander.

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

Full 12-month South Carolina calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across South Carolina, by group and month

Group
Snakes	6	14	20	22	22	22	21	19	20	20	18	9
Lizards	3	6	8	10	10	10	10	10	10	9	6	4
Turtles	2	6	7	8	8	7	7	7	6	5	3	2
Frogs and Toads	10	15	18	18	16	16	17	17	17	16	11	10
Salamanders	8	12	12	12	10	8	4	3	4	8	5	5

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

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At peak in December 10

Snakes

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesRed CornsnakePantherophis guttatus

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Lizards

peak

LizardsGreen AnoleAnolis carolinensis

Turtles

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersBlue Ridge Two-lined SalamanderEurycea wilderae

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

peak

SalamandersMole SalamanderAmbystoma talpoideum

peak

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

Shoulder season in December 21

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesBanded WatersnakeNerodia fasciata

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

shoulder

SnakesEastern RatsnakePantherophis quadrivittatus

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

shoulder

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

shoulder

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

Lizards

shoulder

LizardsEastern Glass LizardOphisaurus ventralis

shoulder

LizardsLittle Brown SkinkScincella lateralis

shoulder

LizardsMediterranean House GeckoHemidactylus turcicus

introduced

Turtles

shoulder

TurtlesRiver CooterPseudemys concinna

Alligators

shoulder

AlligatorsAmerican AlligatorAlligator mississippiensis

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsCope's Gray Tree FrogDryophytes chrysoscelis

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen TreefrogDryophytes cinereus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Cricket FrogAcris crepitans

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Cricket FrogAcris gryllus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSouthern ToadAnaxyrus terrestris

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSquirrel Tree FrogDryophytes squirellus

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsUpland Chorus FrogPseudacris feriarum

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.

South Carolina in December

What reptiles and amphibians are out in South Carolina in December?

31 reptiles and amphibians are active in South Carolina in December, and 10 are at peak. Peak species include the Green Anole, Pond Slider, DeKay's Brownsnake, and Marbled Salamander.

Are venomous snakes active in South Carolina in December?

Yes. The Northern Cottonmouth can be active in December. Watch where you step and don't handle them.