New York is not only known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling city life, but also for being home to a variety of snake species. While encountering snakes in the wild may be intimidating to some, it is important to understand these creatures and appreciate their role in the ecosystem.
In this article, we will explore 17 types of snakes that call New York their home. From the venomous Copperhead to the harmless Garter Snake, we will delve into their unique characteristics, habitats, and behaviors.
Timber Rattlesnake
The Timber Rattlesnake, also known as the Canebrake Rattlesnake, is a venomous species of snake native to the eastern United States, including New York.
Habitat: This species can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, rocky hillsides, and wetlands.
Appearance: Timber Rattlesnakes are easily recognizable by their distinctive rattles at the end of their tails. They are typically brown or grayish-brown with dark markings resembling a series of chevrons on their backs.
Diet: They primarily feed on small mammals such as mice and chipmunks, but may also eat birds and other snakes.
Behavior: When threatened, they will shake their rattles as a warning, but will not attack unless provoked. They are also known for their thermoregulation behavior, basking in the sun to raise their body temperature.
Conservation Status: Timber Rattlesnakes are listed as a species of concern in New York. Due to the loss of habitat and human persecution, their populations are declining.
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is a smaller species of a rattlesnake with a unique appearance and a venomous bite. They can be found in scattered populations across New York.
Habitat: These snakes prefer wetlands, marshes, and swamps with thick vegetation for cover.
Appearance: The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake has a grayish-brown background color with dark, irregular blotches on their backs. They also have vertical pupils and distinctive “eyebrows” above their eyes.
Diet: They primarily feed on small rodents, but may also eat birds and amphibians.
Behavior: These snakes prefer to avoid confrontation and will usually only use their venomous bite as a last resort when threatened. They are mostly active at night.
Conservation Status: Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes are a federally endangered species and are listed as endangered in New York. Habitats for these snakes have been dramatically decreased due to human activity, agricultural practices, and urbanization.
Copperhead
The Copperhead is a venomous species of snake found in the eastern United States, including New York. Although their venom can be harmful to humans, they are generally less aggressive and less deadly than other venomous snakes.
Habitat: Copperheads can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, rocky hillsides, and wetlands.
Appearance: They are named for their distinctive copper-colored head and have a pattern of hourglass bands on their bodies.
Diet: their diet consists of small rodents, birds, and insects.
Behavior: Copperheads are mostly active at night and tend to avoid confrontation with humans. When threatened, they will usually freeze or flee rather than attack.
Conservation Status: Copperheads are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but habitat destruction and human persecution pose a risk to their populations. They are often mistakenly killed due to their resemblance to other venomous snakes, such as the Timber Rattlesnake.
Eastern Milk Snake
The Eastern Milk Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in New York. They are known for their distinct patterns and unique behavior.
Habitat: These snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands.
Appearance: They have a distinctive pattern of reddish-brown blotches bordered by a black outline on their bodies, with a light gray or white underbelly. They get their name from a mistaken belief that they would suckle cows because they were often found near barns and other farm animals.
Diet: Eastern Milk Snakes primarily feed on small rodents but may also eat birds, insects, and reptiles.
Behavior: They are mostly active at night and can often be found hiding under rocks or debris during the day. When threatened, they will often vibrate their tails, mimicking the sound of a rattlesnake.
Conservation Status: Eastern Milk Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and human persecution. They are often mistaken for the venomous Copperhead and killed as a result.
Western Black Rat Snake
The Western Black Rat Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in New York. They are known for their size and powerful constricting abilities.
Habitat: These snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands.
Appearance: They are one of the largest snakes found in New York, with adults growing up to six feet in length. They are predominantly black with white or yellowish markings on their chins and throats.
Diet: Western Black Rat Snakes primarily feed on small rodents but may also eat birds, insects, and reptiles.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and can often be found basking in the sun. When threatened, they will vibrate their tails and emit a foul-smelling musk to deter predators.
Conservation Status: Western Black Rat Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and persecution. They are often mistaken for venomous species, such as the Timber Rattlesnake, and killed as a result.
Northern Redbelly Snake
The Northern Redbelly Snake is a small species of snake commonly found in wetland habitats in New York. They are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans.
Habitat: These snakes prefer wetlands with heavy vegetation and can often be found hiding under debris or rocks.
Appearance: They have a distinctive red underside, with a brown or grayish-brown color on their backs. They are small in size, with adults growing up to only ten inches in length.
Diet: Northern Redbelly Snakes primarily feed on small invertebrates such as insects and earthworms.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and are known for their ability to climb up tree trunks and shrubs. When threatened, they will often curl up into a ball.
Conservation Status: Northern Redbelly Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss due to wetland destruction and development.
Eastern Hognose Snake
The Eastern Hognose Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in New York. They are known for their unique defensive behaviors and flattened snouts.
Habitat: These snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and sand dunes.
Appearance: They have a distinctive upturned snout, giving them the appearance of a small pig or piglet. They have variable coloration, ranging from brown to yellow, with dark blotches and patterns on their backs.
Diet: Eastern Hognose Snakes primarily feed on amphibians, such as frogs and toads, but may also eat small rodents and insects.
Behavior: When threatened, they will often flatten their bodies and hiss loudly. If the threat persists, they may even play dead by rolling onto their backs, opening their mouths wide, and excreting a foul-smelling fluid.
Conservation Status: Eastern Hognose Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but they face threats from habitat loss and human persecution. Their unique defensive behaviors, which can be mistaken for aggression, often lead to their unnecessary killing.
Smooth Green Snake
The Smooth Green Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in grassy habitats in New York. They are known for their bright green coloration and gentle disposition.
Habitat: These snakes prefer grasslands, meadows, and marshes with dense vegetation.
Appearance: They have a bright green coloration on their backs, with a light green or yellowish underbelly. They are small in size, with adults growing up to only 18 inches in length.
Diet: Smooth Green Snakes primarily feed on small insects, such as grasshoppers and crickets, but may occasionally eat small spiders and other arthropods.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and are known for their calm and gentle demeanor. When threatened, they may flee into the dense vegetation or even climb up into trees.
Conservation Status: Smooth Green Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but they face threats from habitat loss due to agricultural practices and land development. They are also collected for the pet trade, which can directly impact their populations.
Eastern Ribbon Snake
The Eastern Ribbon Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in aquatic habitats in New York. They are known for their slender bodies and distinctive ribbon-like markings.
Habitat: These snakes prefer wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, and ponds.
Appearance: They have a slender body with three longitudinal stripes running down their backs. Their coloration can range from brown to green, with a light yellow or white underbelly.
Diet: Eastern Ribbon Snakes primarily feed on small fish and tadpoles, but may also eat insects and other invertebrates.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and can often be found near the water’s edge. They are excellent swimmers and are known for their agility in catching fish.
Conservation Status: Eastern Ribbon Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and degradation due to wetland destruction and urbanization.
Queen Snake
The Queen Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in aquatic habitats in New York. They are known for their small size and distinctive black and yellow striping.
Habitat: these snakes prefer clear waterways, including streams and rivers.
Appearance: They have a grayish-brown coloration on their backs, with three longitudinal stripes running down their bodies. Their stripes can vary in color from yellow to green to blue.
Diet: Queen Snakes primarily feed on small fish, freshwater clams, and crayfish.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and can often be found basking on rocks or logs near the water’s edge. They are excellent swimmers and are known for their ability to dive and navigate through fast-moving currents.
Conservation Status: Queen Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and degradation due to wetland destruction and pollution. They are also collected for the pet trade, which can directly impact their populations.
Northern Brown Snake
The Northern Brown Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in a variety of habitats in New York. They are known for their small size and secretive nature.
Habitat: These snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands.
Appearance: They have a brown or grayish-brown coloration on their backs, with dark markings and a light underbelly. They are small in size, with adults growing up to only ten inches in length.
Diet: Northern Brown Snakes primarily feed on small invertebrates, such as spiders and earthworms, but may also eat small amphibians and rodents.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and are known for their secretive nature, often hiding under rocks, debris, or in burrows. When threatened, they will often freeze or try to escape rather than attack.
Conservation Status: Northern Brown Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and degradation due to human development and urbanization. They are also often killed due to mistaken identity with venomous snakes.
Common Garter Snake
The Common Garter Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in a variety of habitats in New York. They are known for their small size and distinctive striped patterning.
Habitat: These snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands.
Appearance: They have a dark green or black coloration on their backs, with three distinct longitudinal stripes ranging in color from yellow to white. They are small in size, with adults growing up to only 30 inches in length.
Diet: Common Garter Snakes primarily feed on small invertebrates, such as insects and earthworms, but may also eat small amphibians and fish.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and are known for their docile demeanor. When threatened, they will often try to escape rather than attack. They are also known for their defensive behavior of emitting a foul-smelling musk when handled.
Conservation Status: Common Garter Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and degradation due to urbanization and agricultural practices. They are also often killed due to mistaken identity with venomous snakes.
Shorthead Garter Snake
The Shorthead Garter Snake is a non-venomous species of snake commonly found in aquatic habitats in New York. They are known for their distinctive appearance and small size.
Habitat: These snakes prefer wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, and ponds.
Appearance: They have a dark green or brown coloration on their backs, with a light cream or yellow underbelly. They are small in size, with adults growing up to only 18 inches in length.
Diet: Shorthead Garter Snakes primarily feed on small invertebrates, such as insects, as well as small fish and amphibians.
Behavior: They are mostly active during the day and can often be found near the water’s edge. They are excellent swimmers and are known for their agility in catching fish.
Conservation Status: Shorthead Garter Snakes are not currently listed as endangered or threatened in New York, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and degradation due to wetland destruction and urbanization.
Northern Ringneck Snake
The Northern Ringneck Snake, also known as Diadophis punctatus edwardsii, is a species of small, non-venomous snake that is found throughout the eastern United States, including New York.
Habitat: This species is often found in moist environments such as woodlands, meadows, and swamps. Northern Ringneck Snakes are also known to live near streams and in rocky areas.
Appearance: The snake is easily recognizable by its distinctive coloration. Its body is typically gray or black, with a yellow or orange band around its neck. Northern Ringneck Snakes are small, averaging just 10 to 15 inches in length.
Diet: Northern Ringneck Snakes primarily feed on small invertebrates like earthworms, snails, slugs, and insects. They are known to use their smooth scales and slim shape to burrow into soil or leaf litter to find prey.
Behavior: This species of snake is primarily nocturnal, and can be seen hunting during the night. Northern Ringneck Snakes are not aggressive, and when threatened, will often coil their bodies and emit a foul-smelling musk to deter predators.
Conservation Status: This species is generally considered to be of least concern, with stable populations throughout its range. However, habitat destruction and fragmentation are threats to this species, as well as accidental mortality from human activities like vehicle collisions.
Northern Black Racer
The Northern Black Racer, or Coluber constrictor constrictor, is a slender, fast-moving species of non-venomous snake found in New York and other eastern states. This snake is known for its speed, agility and ability to climb trees and swim.
Habitat: This species of snake can be found in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, and forest edges. They are often seen sunning themselves on rocks and other warm surfaces, and are known to climb trees and swim in streams and ponds.
Appearance: The Northern Black Racer is a shiny black color, with a white or gray underbelly. They are long and slender, averaging between 20 and 56 inches in length. This thin snake has a smooth and polished appearance, and its scales are shiny.
Diet: Northern Black Racers are carnivores, and they consume a variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, lizards, and other snakes. These snakes are very fast, and they are able to catch their prey by chasing it down.
Behavior: This species is very fast and agile, making them difficult to catch. They are known to flee from humans, making them a shy species of snake. When threatened or cornered, Northern Black Racers will hiss and vibrate their tails, hoping to scare away predators.
Conservation Status: This species is not listed as endangered, but it is generally not a common species in New York. Habitat loss is a significant threat to these snakes, as they require a variety of different habitats to survive. Also, accidental human killings and harvesting of this species for the pet trade are considered to be other threats.
Maritime Garter Snake
The Maritime Garter Snake, also called Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus is a subspecies of the Common Garter Snake, a non-venomous serpent found throughout the United States. This subspecies is endemic to the coastal regions of New York, where it is considered vulnerable.
Habitat: Maritime Garter Snakes live in a variety of moist habitats, including salt marshes, tidal creeks, ponds, and swamps. These snakes can be found near water and are known for their swimming ability.
Appearance: Maritime Garter Snakes are relatively small, averaging between 18-28 inches in length. They are brown to olive-green in color, with three light yellow or white stripes running down the length of their bodies. These stripes may be interrupted by spots or bars.
Diet: The Maritime Garter Snake diet consists of small prey like insects, earthworms and amphibians. These snakes use a combination of constriction and venom to subdue their prey.
Behavior: Maritime Garter Snakes are normally solitary animals, but they can be found in dense aggregations around breeding and hibernation sites. During mating, multiple males engage in combat for the right to court a female. They are known to bask in the sun on shorelines and swim or crawl among the marsh grasses near the edge of the water.
Conservation Status: The Maritime Garter Snake is considered a vulnerable species in New York. Habitat destruction due to coastal development, pollution, sea level rise and human disturbances to breeding and hibernation sites have affected the population of this species. Protection and restoration of the coastal ecosystem is a critical strategy for the conservation of this subspecies.
Northern Water Snake
The Northern Water Snake, or Nerodia sipedon, is a widespread species of non-venomous snake found throughout much of eastern North America, including New York. These are robust snakes and some may be aggressive when they feel threatened.
Habitat: Northern Water Snakes can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. They are also often found basking on rocks and logs near shorelines.
Appearance: These snakes are typically brown or gray with darker, blotchy markings down their backs. They are often mistaken for venomous snakes due to their coloring, but Northern Water Snakes have round pupils unlike venomous snakes with slit pupils. The snake is often stocky, growing up to 4-5 feet in length.
Diet: Northern Water Snakes are opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of prey including fish, frogs, salamanders, crayfish, and other small mammals. They are capable of hunting prey in water and on land.
Behavior: This species of snake is often active during the day as well as at night. These snakes can be aggressive if they feel threatened or cornered, and will often strike when provoked. However, they are also known to be docile and easily handled when approached calmly.
Conservation Status: The Northern Water Snake is not considered to be a threatened species, but habitat loss and pollution of aquatic habitats are ongoing threats to this species. These snakes are often misunderstood and have a reputation for being aggressive. The conservation of this species requires education for people to understand and appreciate their role as important predators in their habitat.
Conclusion
New York is home to a diverse array of fascinating snake species, ranging from small, docile ringnecks to larger, more aggressive water snakes. While some of these species are common, others are relatively rare and in need of conservation efforts to protect their populations.
As with all wildlife, it’s important to respect these creatures and their habitats. If you encounter a snake in the wild, keep your distance and appreciate the beauty and importance of these often misunderstood animals.
