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.

“Many reptiles and amphibians are hit by cars on roadways each year,” said Rich Staffen, DNR conservation zoologist. “We are trying to minimize this mortality, and the public can help by reporting where they are seeing this happen. By identifying high road mortality areas, we know where we can incorporate mitigation efforts to reduce the threat to crossing animals in those locations.”

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 has 12 species of frogs and toads, and seven species of salamanders. Three species of frogs and toads are considered rare, while one species of salamanders is rare.

Wisconsin has four types of lizards, three of which are rare. There are 11 species of turtles (four rare), and 21 species of snakes (13 rare).

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 plages are critical for the support of reptile and amphibian conservation in Wisconsin. Sign up for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation email updates.