Statewide

West Virginia Reptiles and Amphibians by Month

Every reptile and amphibian with enough records anywhere in West Virginia, counted from observations inside the state line. Seasons can differ a lot across the state, so for a closer match, pick your ecoregion on the West Virginia page.

38 species2 venomous

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.

Species out in West Virginia, by group and month

Group
Snakes		1	4	9	10	10	10	10	9	8	2
Lizards			2	2	2	2	2	2	2	1
Turtles			3	3	3	3	2	2	3	1
Frogs and Toads		2	6	7	8	8	7	7	7	5	1
Salamanders	2	6	12	14	14	12	11	12	12	10	7	2

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

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33 species at peak or shoulder in September

peak

SalamandersAllegheny Mountain Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus ochrophaeus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

SnakesCentral RatsnakePantherophis alleghaniensis

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesEastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

venomous

peak

LizardsEastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatus

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

Frogs and ToadsFowler's ToadAnaxyrus fowleri

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

SalamandersLong-tailed SalamanderEurycea longicauda

peak

SalamandersNorthern Dusky SalamanderDesmognathus fuscus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Slimy SalamanderPlethodon glutinosus

peak

SalamandersNorthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea bislineata

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

peak

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SalamandersSeal SalamanderDesmognathus monticola

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

peak

SalamandersSouthern Two-lined SalamanderEurycea cirrigera

peak

SalamandersSpring SalamanderGyrinophilus porphyriticus

peak

SnakesTimber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

venomous

peak

SalamandersWehrle's SalamanderPlethodon wehrlei

shoulder

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

shoulder

TurtlesPond SliderTrachemys scripta

shoulder

SalamandersRed SalamanderPseudotriton ruber

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

About West Virginia

When are reptiles and amphibians most active in West Virginia?

May is the busiest month in West Virginia, with 30 species at peak activity. At least half of the area's species are active from March through October.

What reptiles and amphibians live in West Virginia?

38 species have enough iNaturalist records to show here: 14 salamanders, 10 snakes, 9 frogs and toads, 3 turtles, and 2 lizards. The most-reported are the Eastern Newt, American Toad, and Eastern Red-backed Salamander.

Are there venomous snakes in West Virginia?

Yes. The Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Copperhead live here. Don't handle them.

Where does this data come from?

Activity calendars are built from iNaturalist research-grade observations (downloaded through GBIF, September 2026), corrected for how many people are out observing each month. Rare and protected species are left off on purpose.