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.
Stay connected and sign up for email updates
SPECIES ACCOUNTS
SALAMANDERS OF WISCONSIN
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 Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale Common Eastern Newt Notophthalmus viridescens Common Eastern Red-backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus Common Eastern Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum Common Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Special Concern Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus Common Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum Common FROGS OF WISCONSIN
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 American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus Common American Toad Anaxyrus americanus Common Blanchard's Cricket Frog Acris blanchardi Endangered Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris maculata Common Cope's Gray Treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis Common Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor Common Green Frog Lithobates clamitans Common Mink Frog Lithobates septentrionalis Special Concern Northern Leopard Frog Lithobates pipiens Common Pickerel Frog Lithobates palustris Special Concern Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer Common Wood Frog Lithobates sylvaticus Common SNAKES OF WISCONSIN
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 Butler's Gartersnake Thamnophis butleri Special Concern Common Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis Common Common Watersnake Nerodia sipedon Common DeKay's Brownsnake Storeria dekayi Common Eastern Foxsnake Pantherophis vulpinus Common Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Heterodon platirhinos Common Eastern Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus Endangered Eastern Milksnake Lampropeltis triangulum Common Eastern Ribbonsnake Thamnophis saurita Endangered Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer Special Concern Gray Ratsnake Pantherophis spiloides Special Concern Lined Snake Tropidoclonion lineatum Special Concern North American Racer Coluber constrictor Special concern Northern Ring-necked Snake Diadophis punctatus edwardsii Common Plains Gartersnake Thamnophis radix Special Concern Prairie Ring-necked Snake Diadophis punctatus arnyi Special Concern Queensnake Regina septemvittata Endangered Red-bellied Snake Storeria occipitomaculata Common Smooth Greensnake Opheodrys vernalis Common Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus Special Concern Western Ribbonsnake Thamnophis proximus Endangered Western Wormsnake 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
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 Common Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus Common Prairie Skink Plestiodon septentrionalis Special Concern Six-lined Racerunner Aspidoscelis sexlineata Special Concern Slender Glass Lizard Ophisaurus attenuatus Endangered TURTLES OF WISCONSIN
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 Blanding's Turtle Emydoidea blandingii Special Concern Eastern Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus Common False Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica Common Northern Map Turtle Graptemys geographica Common Ornate Box Turtle Terrapene ornata Endangered Ouachita Map Turtle Graptemys ouachitensis Common Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta Common Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica Special Concern Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina Common Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera Common Wood Turtle 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.