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What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Virginia in December

21 reptiles and amphibians are active in Virginia in December, and 6 are at peak. Peak species include the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, DeKay's Brownsnake, Southern Two-lined Salamander, and Marbled Salamander.

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

Full 12-month Virginia calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Virginia, by group and month

Group
Snakes	4	12	21	24	24	24	23	22	22	20	16	7
Lizards		3	4	6	7	8	8	8	7	4	3
Turtles	3	7	8	8	9	9	8	8	8	7	6	3
Frogs and Toads	8	9	15	20	18	18	17	14	15	13	12	4
Salamanders	8	16	19	25	23	21	16	17	19	19	13	7

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

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At peak in December 6

Snakes

DeKay's Brownsnake

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

Northern Cottonmouth

peak

SnakesNorthern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorus

venomous

Salamanders

Eastern Red-backed Salamander

peak

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

Marbled Salamander

peak

SalamandersMarbled SalamanderAmbystoma opacum

Northern Two-lined Salamander

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

Southern Two-lined Salamander

peak

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

Shoulder season in December 15

Snakes

Common Garter Snake

shoulder

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

Common Wormsnake

shoulder

SnakesCommon WormsnakeCarphophis amoenus

North American Racer

shoulder

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

Ring-necked Snake

shoulder

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

Rough Greensnake

shoulder

SnakesRough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivus

Turtles

Northern Red-bellied Cooter

shoulder

TurtlesNorthern Red-bellied CooterPseudemys rubriventris

Painted Turtle

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

Pond Slider

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

Frogs and Toads

American Bullfrog

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

Green Frog

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

Northern Cricket Frog

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Cricket FrogAcris crepitans

Pickerel Frog

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

Salamanders

Eastern Newt

shoulder

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

Northern Dusky Salamander

shoulder

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

White-spotted Slimy Salamander

shoulder

SalamandersWhite-spotted Slimy SalamanderPlethodon cylindraceus

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.

Virginia in December

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Virginia in December?

21 reptiles and amphibians are active in Virginia in December, and 6 are at peak. Peak species include the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, DeKay's Brownsnake, Southern Two-lined Salamander, and Marbled Salamander.

Are venomous snakes active in Virginia in December?

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