Herps of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to 19 species of amphibians (frogs and salamanders) and 36 reptiles (snakes, turtles and lizards). Please see Wisconsin's rare animals for detailed information on the state's rare amphibian and reptile species, including photos and life history.
For specific herp regulations, please visit our herp regulations page for information.
SPECIES ACCOUNTS
- SALAMANDERS OF WISCONSIN
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Salamanders are the most secretive group within Wisconsin's amphibian community. Seven species reside in the state, but most go entirely undetected by humans. Most adult salamanders are terrestrial and return to aquatic habitats only for breeding.
Common Name
Scientific Name
WI Status
Ambystoma laterale
Common
Notophthalmus viridescens
Common
Plethodon cinereus
Common
Ambystoma tigrinum
Common
Hemidactylium scutatum
Special Concern
Necturus maculosus
Common
Ambystoma maculatum
Common
- FROGS OF WISCONSIN
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Frogs are in the Class Amphibia, which also includes salamanders. Frogs, called anurans, belong to the Order Anura, meaning tailless. Wisconsin is home to twelve species of frogs, including the American toad. Unlike salamanders, all frogs breed and deposit their eggs in water. Despite huge habitat losses, Wisconsin amphibians, with one exception - the Blanchard's Cricket Frog - have managed to persist in relatively good numbers.
Common Name
Scientific Name
WI Status
Lithobates catesbeianus
Common
Anaxyrus americanus
Common
Acris blanchardi
Endangered
Pseudacris maculata
Common
Hyla chrysoscelis
Common
Hyla versicolor
Common
Lithobates clamitans
Common
Lithobates septentrionalis
Special Concern
Lithobates pipiens
Common
Lithobates palustris
Special Concern
Pseudacris crucifer
Common
Lithobates sylvaticus
Common
- SNAKES OF WISCONSIN
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Snakes play critical roles in many natural communities as predators and prey. They are extremely valuable to the agricultural community by keeping grain-eating mammals in check. Recent studies suggest that snakes help reduce disease threats from high rodent populations. Many snake populations have declined in Wisconsin due to habitat loss and human persecution. Even today, people who do not understand or appreciate their value continue to kill them needlessly. Of Wisconsin's 21 species, 14 are considered "rare" and listed as endangered, threatened or of particular concern.
Common Name
Scientific Name
WI Status
Thamnophis butleri
Special Concern
Thamnophis sirtalis
Common
Nerodia sipedon
Common
Storeria dekayi
Common
Pantherophis vulpinus
Common
Heterodon platirhinos
Common
Sistrurus catenatus
Endangered
Lampropeltis triangulum
Common
Thamnophis saurita
Endangered
Pituophis catenifer
Special Concern
Pantherophis spiloides
Special Concern
Tropidoclonion lineatum
Special Concern
Coluber constrictor
Special concern
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii
Common
Thamnophis radix
Special Concern
Diadophis punctatus arnyi
Special Concern
Regina septemvittata
Endangered
Storeria occipitomaculata
Common
Opheodrys vernalis
Common
Crotalus horridus
Special Concern
Thamnophis proximus
Endangered
Carphophis vermis
Special Concern
Rattlesnakes and Rattlesnake Mimics
There are two species of rattlesnakes in Wisconsin (timber rattlesnake and eastern massasauga), although both species, especially the eastern massasauga, are rare. But many non-venomous snake species often mimic rattlesnakes. These mimics vibrate their tails when they feel threatened. The sound of their tail "rattling" against the vegetation, gravel or dry leaves sounds almost identical to a rattlesnake. If you believe you may have seen a rattlesnake in Wisconsin, please look over our rattlesnake mimic publication for identification tips. Learn how to avoid and treat rattlesnake bites in Wisconsin.
Snake Fungal Disease
Visit our snake fungal disease web page to learn more about this disease that impacts numerous species of snakes and has been found throughout much of the eastern United States.
- LIZARDS OF WISCONSIN
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Wisconsin's four lizard species share several traits. All four require sandy soils for burrowing and hibernating, and as a result, all have very patchy distributions. All four lay eggs, and their hatchlings look like tiny replicas of the adults, except the three species with legs hatch with blue tails. When seized, lizards can drop their tails and the severed, wriggling tail often distracts predators giving the lizard a chance to escape. However, being unique among reptiles, lizards can regenerate their tail. Lizards have the shortest active season of any Wisconsin herptile, emerging from hibernation in late April or May and re-entering in early September.
Common Name
Scientific Name
WI Status
Plestiodon fasciatus
Common
Plestiodon septentrionalis
Special Concern
Aspidoscelis sexlineata
Special Concern
Ophisaurus attenuatus
Endangered
- TURTLES OF WISCONSIN
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Wisconsin has 11 turtle species. Ten are aquatic or semi-aquatic, and one is strictly terrestrial (land-dwelling). Most turtles breed in the spring after they emerge from hibernation or during August. All turtles lay their eggs in nests in uplands, making protecting upland and aquatic habitats essential to their survival.
Common Name
Scientific Name
WI Status
Emydoidea blandingii
Special Concern
Sternotherus odoratus
Common
Graptemys pseudogeographica
Common
Graptemys geographica
Common
Terrapene ornata
Endangered
Graptemys ouachitensis
Common
Chrysemys picta
Common
Apalone mutica
Special Concern
Chelydra serpentina
Common
Apalone spinifera
Common
Glyptemys insculpta
Threatened
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF WISCONSIN COUNTY RECORDS MAPS
Explore the Amphibians and Reptiles of the WI County Record Map library. County record maps are either modified from or direct recreations from Kapfer and Brown (2022) Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin, UW Press, Madison, WI.
GET INVOLVED AND HELP HERPS
There are many ways to get involved, including surveying, monitoring and protecting turtle nests. Visit the DNR's Help Herps web page for more information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Find answers to commonly asked questions from the general to specifics on the groups listed below.