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 prior to beginning the project to ensure that there will not be any impacts to 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 pertaining to rare species.
Activity periods
If your Endangered Resources Review has required or recommended timing restrictions or the installation of amphibian and reptile exclusion fencing in relation to a species’ activity period, please use the table below.
| Species | Fall Activity (2021) |
|---|---|
| Blanchard’s cricket frog | Blanchard's cricket frogs are active through at least October 15. |
| Blanding's turtle | Blanding's turtles are active through at least September 30. |
| Butler’s gartersnake | Butler's gartersnakes are active through at least September 30. |
| Eastern massasauga rattlesnake | Eastern massasaugas are active through at least September 30. |
| Eastern (northern) ribbonsnake | Eastern ribbonsnakes are active through at least September 30. |
| Ornate box turtle | Ornate box turtles are active through at least September 27. |
| Queensnake | Queensnakes are active through at least September 30. |
| Slender glass lizard | Slender glass lizards are active through at least September 27. |
| Western ribbonsnake | Western ribbonsnakes are active through at least September 30. |
| Wood turtle | Wood turtles are active through at least September 30. |