Month by month

What Reptiles and Amphibians Are Out in Wisconsin in May

29 reptiles and amphibians are active in Wisconsin in May, and 25 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Painted Turtle, Green Frog, and Common Garter Snake.

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

Full 12-month Wisconsin calendar Pick your ecoregion

Species out across Wisconsin, by group and month

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

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

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At peak in May 25

Snakes

peak

SnakesButler's Garter SnakeThamnophis butleri

peak

SnakesCommon Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

peak

SnakesCommon WatersnakeNerodia sipedon

peak

SnakesDeKay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayi

peak

SnakesEastern FoxsnakePantherophis vulpinus

peak

SnakesEastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos

peak

SnakesEastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum

peak

SnakesGopher SnakePituophis catenifer

peak

SnakesRing-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus

peak

SnakesSmooth GreensnakeOpheodrys vernalis

Lizards

peak

LizardsCommon Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatus

Turtles

peak

TurtlesCommon Snapping TurtleChelydra serpentina

peak

TurtlesNorthern Map TurtleGraptemys geographica

peak

TurtlesPainted TurtleChrysemys picta

peak

TurtlesSpiny SoftshellApalone spinifera

Frogs and Toads

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican BullfrogLithobates catesbeianus

peak

Frogs and ToadsAmerican ToadAnaxyrus americanus

peak

Frogs and ToadsGray TreefrogDryophytes versicolor

peak

Frogs and ToadsGreen FrogLithobates clamitans

peak

Frogs and ToadsPickerel FrogLithobates palustris

peak

Frogs and ToadsSpring PeeperPseudacris crucifer

peak

Frogs and ToadsWood FrogLithobates sylvaticus

Salamanders

peak

SalamandersBlue-spotted SalamanderAmbystoma laterale

peak

SalamandersEastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens

peak

SalamandersSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma maculatum

Shoulder season in May 4

Snakes

shoulder

SnakesRed-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata

Frogs and Toads

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsBoreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculata

shoulder

Frogs and ToadsNorthern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiens

Salamanders

shoulder

SalamandersEastern Red-backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereus

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.

Wisconsin in May

What reptiles and amphibians are out in Wisconsin in May?

29 reptiles and amphibians are active in Wisconsin in May, and 25 are at peak. Peak species include the American Toad, Painted Turtle, Green Frog, and Common Garter Snake.

Are venomous snakes active in Wisconsin in May?

No venomous snakes on this list are active in Wisconsin in May.