Wisconsin Native Amphibian and Reptile Species

The State of Wisconsin is home to roughly 55 different species of native, or indigenous amphibian and reptile species, including 8 salamander species, 12 frog and toad species, 11 turtle (or chelonian) species, 4 species of lizards, and 21 species of snakes (2 of which are venomous). These native species occur in our forests, prairies, wetlands, and even suburban and residential backyards or other areas nearby to people. Some species are common and ubiquitous throughout the state, while others are much more rare, Threatened, or Endangered, and occur only in very specialized and/or certain areas or locations of the state, where they are unlikely to ever be seen or found by the average person.

Here, you will find detailed photos and natural history accounts of each of these native amphibian and reptile species, including a detailed identification and description, range and preferred habitats in the state, their diets and feeding behaviors, defense behaviors, reproduction and breeding, and other aspects of their biology and natural history specific to populations in Wisconsin, whenever possible or available.

Caudata-Salamanders and Newts

-Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
-Eastern (Central) Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
-Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
-Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
-Blue Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
-Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
-Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
-Unisexual Mole Salamander Complex (Ambystoma spp.)

Anura-Frogs and Toads

-Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)*State of WI Endangered
-Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata)
-Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
-Gray Treefrog Complex (Dryophytes versicolor; Dryophytes chrysoscelis)
-American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
-American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
-Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)
-Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis)
-Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)
-Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)
-Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)

Chelonia-Turtles

-Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
-Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica)
-Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera)
-North American Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)*WI State Threatened
-Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
-Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
-False Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica)
-Ouachita (Southern) Map Turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis)
-Western/Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata)*WI State Endangered
-Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
-Eastern Musk Turtle/Stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus)
-Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta)*Introduced

Sauria-Lizards

-Common Five-Lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)
-Northern Prairie Skink (Plestiodon septentrionalis)
-Western Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus)*WI State Endangered
-Six-Lined (Prairie) Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)

Serpentes-Snakes

-Western Wormsnake (Carphophis vermis)
-Ring-Necked Snakes (Northern and Prairie) (Diadophis punctatus)
-DeKay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
-Red-Bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)
-Lined Snake (Tropidoclonion lineatum)
-Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis)
-Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
-Plains Gartersnake (Thamnophis radix)
-Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri)
-Western (Orange-Striped) Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus) *WI State Endangered
-Eastern (Northern) Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis saurita) *WI State Endangered
-Common (Northern) Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)
-Queensnake (Regina septemvittata) *WI State Endangered
-North American Racer (Coluber constrictor)
-Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
-Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus)
-Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides)
-Gophersnake (Bullsnake) (Pituophis catenifer)
-Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
-Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)*Venomous; *WI State Endangered
-Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)*Venomous