Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Washington in May

33 reptiles and amphibians are active in Washington in May, and 22 are at peak. Peak species include the Pacific Chorus Frog, Northwestern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake, and American Bullfrog.

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

Full 12-month Washington calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Washington, by group and month

Group
Snakes	1	2	5	7	7	7	7	7	7	6	4	1
Lizards	1	1	4	6	6	6	5	4	4	3
Turtles	1	2	2	3	3	3	2	2	2	2	1	1
Frogs and Toads	3	3	5	6	6	7	7	7	7	6	3	3
Salamanders	5	9	11	11	11	9	6	8	8	9	9	6

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

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At peak in May 22

Snakes

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

peak

SnakesNorthern Rubber BoaCharina bottae

peak

SnakesNorthwestern Garter SnakeThamnophis ordinoides

peak

SnakesWestern RattlesnakeCrotalus oreganus

venomous

peak

SnakesWestern Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Side-blotched LizardUta stansburiana

peak

LizardsNorthern Alligator LizardElgaria coerulea

peak

LizardsPygmy Short-horned LizardPhrynosoma douglasii

peak

LizardsSouthern Alligator LizardElgaria multicarinata

peak

LizardsWestern Fence LizardSceloporus occidentalis

peak

LizardsWestern SkinkPlestiodon skiltonianus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

introduced

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

introduced

peak

Frogs and ToadsColumbia Spotted FrogRana luteiventris

peak

Frogs and ToadsPacific Chorus FrogPseudacris regilla

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersDunn's SalamanderPlethodon dunni

peak

SalamandersOlympic Torrent SalamanderRhyacotriton olympicus

peak

SalamandersVan Dyke's SalamanderPlethodon vandykei

Shoulder season in May 11

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsCoastal Tailed FrogAscaphus truei

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Red-legged FrogRana aurora

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsWestern ToadAnaxyrus boreas

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersCascade Torrent SalamanderRhyacotriton cascadae

shoulder

SalamandersCope's Giant SalamanderDicamptodon copei

shoulder

SalamandersEnsatinaEnsatina eschscholtzii

shoulder

SalamandersLarch Mountain SalamanderPlethodon larselli

shoulder

SalamandersNorthwestern SalamanderAmbystoma gracile

shoulder

SalamandersPacific Giant SalamanderDicamptodon tenebrosus

shoulder

SalamandersRough-skinned NewtTaricha granulosa

shoulder

SalamandersWestern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon vehiculum

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.

Washington in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Washington in May?

33 reptiles and amphibians are active in Washington in May, and 22 are at peak. Peak species include the Pacific Chorus Frog, Northwestern Garter Snake, Common Garter Snake, and American Bullfrog.

Are venomous snakes active in Washington in May?

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