Herptile Regulations
All native herptiles (herps) are considered protected and have some level of protection. An overview of state regulations related to amphibians and reptiles can be found in Wisconsin's Amphibian and Reptile Regulations.
For any planned land-disturbing activities, an Endangered Resources Review should be conducted before beginning the project to ensure that there will not be any impacts on rare species and that planned activities are in compliance with Wisconsin’s Endangered Species Law (s. 29.604 Wis. Stats.), as well as other laws about rare species.
Activity periods
If your Endangered Resources Review has required or recommended timing restrictions, please use the table below to help with your follow-up actions.
| Species | Fall Activity (2025) |
|---|---|
| Blanchard’s cricket frog | Blanchard’s cricket frogs are active through at least Oct. 15. |
| Blanding's turtle | Some Blanding’s turtles may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within Blanding’s turtle habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |
| Butler’s gartersnake | Butler’s gartersnakes are active through at least Oct. 15. |
| Eastern massasauga rattlesnake | Some eastern massasauga rattlesnakes may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within eastern massasauga rattlesnake habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |
| Eastern ribbonsnake | Some eastern ribbonsnakes may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within eastern ribbonsnake habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |
| Ornate box turtle | Ornate box turtles are active through at least Oct. 15. |
| Queensnake | Some queensnakes may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within queensnake lizard habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |
| Slender glass lizard | Some slender glass lizards may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within slender glass lizard habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |
| Timber rattlesnake | Some timber rattlesnakes may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within timber rattlesnake habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |
| Western ribbonsnake | Some western ribbonsnakes may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within western ribbonsnake habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |
| Wood turtle | Some wood turtles may be active on warmer days but some have become inactive for the season. For projects located within wood turtle habitat that are occurring during this time period, please contact the Endangered Resources Review Program (ERReview@wisconsin.gov) for further guidance. |