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What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Washington in September

28 reptiles and amphibians are active in Washington in September, and 17 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 September 17

Snakes

Common Garter Snake

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

North American Racer

peak

SnakesNorth American RacerColuber constrictor

Northwestern Garter Snake

peak

SnakesNorthwestern Garter SnakeThamnophis ordinoides

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

peak

SnakesWestern Terrestrial Garter SnakeThamnophis elegans

Lizards

Common Side-blotched Lizard

peak

LizardsCommon Side-blotched LizardUta stansburiana

Northern Alligator Lizard

peak

LizardsNorthern Alligator LizardElgaria coerulea

Western Fence Lizard

peak

LizardsWestern Fence LizardSceloporus occidentalis

Frogs and Toads

American Bullfrog

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

introduced

Cascades Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsCascades FrogRana cascadae

Coastal Tailed Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsCoastal Tailed FrogAscaphus truei

Columbia Spotted Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsColumbia Spotted FrogRana luteiventris

Northern Red-legged Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Red-legged FrogRana aurora

Pacific Chorus Frog

peak

Frogs and ToadsPacific Chorus FrogPseudacris regilla

Western Toad

peak

Frogs and ToadsWestern ToadAnaxyrus boreas

Salamanders

Cope's Giant Salamander

peak

SalamandersCope's Giant SalamanderDicamptodon copei

Olympic Torrent Salamander

peak

SalamandersOlympic Torrent SalamanderRhyacotriton olympicus

Pacific Giant Salamander

peak

SalamandersPacific Giant SalamanderDicamptodon tenebrosus

Shoulder season in September 11

Snakes

Gopher Snake

shoulder

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

Northern Rubber Boa

shoulder

SnakesNorthern Rubber BoaCharina bottae

Western Rattlesnake

shoulder

SnakesWestern RattlesnakeCrotalus oreganus

venomous

Lizards

Western Skink

shoulder

LizardsWestern SkinkPlestiodon skiltonianus

Turtles

Painted Turtle

shoulder

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

Pond Slider

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

introduced

Salamanders

Dunn's Salamander

shoulder

SalamandersDunn's SalamanderPlethodon dunni

Ensatina

shoulder

SalamandersEnsatinaEnsatina eschscholtzii

Rough-skinned Newt

shoulder

SalamandersRough-skinned NewtTaricha granulosa

Van Dyke's Salamander

shoulder

SalamandersVan Dyke's SalamanderPlethodon vandykei

Western Red-backed Salamander

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 September

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Washington in September?

28 reptiles and amphibians are active in Washington in September, and 17 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 September?

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