MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages the public to report when and where they see frogs, salamanders, lizards, turtles or snakes, known collectively as herptiles, crossing the road during the late summer and early fall.
As temperatures cool, herptiles begin to migrate across roads from summer breeding and foraging locations to overwintering areas. Snakes and lizards in particular may use a stretch of road or a trail as an opportunity to warm up, putting themselves in danger of being hit by vehicles in the process.
By reporting sightings of reptiles and amphibians on and around Wisconsin’s roads, drivers can help DNR scientists better understand where their populations occur and save more of them in the future.
Drivers and trail users can submit a report of their sightings of live crossings or road mortalities, preferably with a photo, via the DNR’s Reptile and Amphibian Mortality Reporting Form.
Turtle crossings can be reported using the DNR’s Turtle Reporting Form.
Putting the Brakes on Species Decline
Over half of Wisconsin’s reptiles are endangered, threatened or of special concern. A special concern species means their population is declining and in need of conservation action.
Wisconsin Herptiles by the Numbers:
| Amphibians | Total Species | Rare Species (% Of Total Species Present) |
| Frogs and toads | 12 | 3 (25%) |
| Salamanders | 7 | 1 (14%) |
| Reptiles | ||
| Lizards | 4 | 3 (75%) |
| Turtles | 11 | 4 (36%) |
| Snakes | 21 | 13 (62%) |
Learn more about the herptiles of Wisconsin on the DNR’s Reptile and Amphibian webpage. Donations to the Endangered Resources Fund through gifts, tax checkoff donations and Endangered Resources specialty license plates are critical for the support of reptile and amphibian conservation in Wisconsin. Sign up for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation email updates.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Published on: Sep 20, 2026 at 12:52 pm