Reptiles & Amphibians of Iowa
The reptiles & amphibians most often spotted in Iowa, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
Most-observed reptiles & amphibians in Iowa
American Toad
Anaxyrus americanus
2,179 observations
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
2,016 observations
Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
1,770 observations
Northern Leopard Frog
Lithobates pipiens
1,233 observations
Blanchard's Cricket Frog
Acris blanchardi
1,185 observations · iNaturalist
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
1,112 observations
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
1,099 observations
Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
866 observations
Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
806 observations
Western Foxsnake
Pantherophis ramspotti
723 observations · iNaturalist
Woodhouse's Toad
Anaxyrus woodhousii
604 observations
Plains Garter Snake
Thamnophis radix
601 observations
Boreal Chorus Frog
Pseudacris maculata
460 observations
Cope's Gray Tree Frog
Dryophytes chrysoscelis
303 observations · iNaturalist
Green Frog
Lithobates clamitans
298 observations
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
284 observations
Plains Leopard Frog
Lithobates blairi
273 observations
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
240 observations
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
231 observations
Spiny Softshell
Apalone spinifera
208 observations
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
195 observations
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
164 observations
Northern Map Turtle
Graptemys geographica
163 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
154 observations
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma tigrinum
144 observations
Gray Treefrog
Dryophytes versicolor
140 observations · iNaturalist
False Map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeographica
128 observations
Ornate Box Turtle
Terrapene ornata
125 observations
Prairie Skink
Plestiodon septentrionalis
110 observations
Six-lined Racerunner
Aspidoscelis sexlineatus
110 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
86 observations
Spring Peeper
Pseudacris crucifer
84 observations
Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
83 observations · iNaturalist
Smooth Greensnake
Opheodrys vernalis
76 observations
Pickerel Frog
Lithobates palustris
73 observations
Blanding's Turtle
Emydoidea blandingii
72 observations
Gray Ratsnake
Pantherophis spiloides
70 observations
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
60 observations
Ouachita Map Turtle
Graptemys ouachitensis
59 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Foxsnake
Pantherophis vulpinus
45 observations · iNaturalist
Smooth Softshell
Apalone mutica
44 observations
Western Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus
43 observations
Common Five-lined Skink
Plestiodon fasciatus
38 observations
Lined Snake
Tropidoclonion lineatum
37 observations
Plains Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus
27 observations
Eastern Newt
Notophthalmus viridescens
24 observations
Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster
22 observations · iNaturalist
Blue-spotted Salamander
Ambystoma laterale
21 observations
Great Plains Toad
Anaxyrus cognatus
19 observations
Plains Spadefoot
Spea bombifrons
17 observations