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Snakes Of New York

New York state is home to 17 species of snakes. These animals, whose tubular, limbless bodies are instantly and universally recognized, produce mixed reactions among people, from fear to fascination. Serpents figure prominently in the mythologies of nearly all human cultures, sometimes as a symbol of evil and temptation. It is perhaps for this reason that snakes often are persecuted and killed without any understanding of their true nature.

Snakes play critical roles in the environments where they occur, primarily by the position they hold in food webs in natural communities. Many snakes are top level predators; for example, a single rat snake can consume over 100 rodents a year.

Other snakes are important in the control they exert on insect and other invertebrate populations. All snakes form part of the diet of other predators such as hawks and foxes and thereby serve to link higher and lower feeding levels.

Common Snakes of New York

The most widespread and frequently encountered snakes in New York state are the garter snake and the water snake. Garter snakes use a wide variety of habitats, from woodlands to marshes to fields and exist quite well around human habitations. These snakes, like many other species, are variable in color and pattern; the basic color is dark brown or green with three yellowish stripes down their sides and back. They may reach lengths of two feet, but are typically smaller. They are completely harmless to people.

The water snake is found in and around almost any waterbody or wetland in the state. As an adult, it is a stout animal typically dark brown to black with lighter-colored bands and splotches along its length. This is most pronounced in young individuals (adults may appear solid black). It is the only large (up to 42 inches) water snake in our range. This species is frequently called or mistaken for a cottonmouth (water moccasin); this latter species is a large venomous snake that does not occur within our state borders. This confusion is understandable as our water snake is certainly an aggressive species with a nasty disposition and it does bear a superficial resemblance to the cottonmouth.

The milk snake has given rise to more misconceptions than perhaps any other species. Its name is derived from the decidedly false belief that it will milk cows! It is, however, frequently encountered in barns in search of its rodent prey (it also eats other snakes). The milk snake is a boldly patterned serpent (brown or reddish blotches on a light grey to tan body) that vibrates its tail when annoyed. These characteristics are undoubtedly responsible for its being called "spotted adder" in some regions, an unfortunate name because it brings to mind the truly venomous snakes of Europe and Asia. The milk snake is harmless.

The largest species in New York is the black rat snake, reaching lengths of eight feet! These largely black-colored snakes are found primarily along cliffs and rocky slopes but are absent from most of the Adirondacks. It is an impressive animal that overpowers its bird and small mammal prey by constriction.

Other kinds that occur all across New York in appropriate habitat are the green, redbelly, brown, and ringneck snakes; all four of these are small, slender, and completely benign species that feed on insects, spiders, earthworms and slugs. Each is described quite well by their common names.

Venomous Snakes in New York

Distribution and IdentificationThere are only three species of venomous snakes living in the wilds of New York (many other kinds may be found in the homes of private individuals and, occasionally, escapes occur!). These are the timber rattlesnake, the massasauga (erroneously called "pygmy rattler"), and the copperhead. All three are uncommon. The timber rattlesnake (listed as "Threatened" by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) enjoys the widest range; it is found mainly in the southeastern part of the state, except Long Island and New York City, with scattered populations as far north as Lake George and also along the Southern Tier in western New York. Its populations have been severely reduced, primarily due to bounties and commercial capture for snakeskin products and the pet trade. The massasauga (listed as "Endangered") occurs in only two locations, both large wetlands. One is located northeast of Syracuse and the other is west of Rochester. This species is the subject of a cooperative research program between researchers at SUNY-ESF and NYSDEC. The copperhead is mainly found along the lower Hudson Valley south of Kingston and scattered through the Catskills.

The timber rattler and massasauga both possess a rattle at the end of their tails. It is made of a series of hollow scales that produce a distinct buzz when the snake vibrates its tail (a new one is added each time the snake sheds its skin, which may be several times a year). Both rattlers are sort of chunky snakes but the timber rattlesnake can attain lengths of up to six feet while the massasauga barely reaches three feet. A timber rattler's head is much wider than a massasauga's and there are numerous small scales on the crown of its head; the massasauga has nine larger scales on the crown. Copperheads lack the rattle, but will vibrate their tail when annoyed. In dry leaves, this vibration can sound like a rattle; many other species, such as milk and rat snakes, will also perform this behavior. The copperhead can be told by its coppery-red head and by the distinct bands along its body which are widest at the sides and narrowest across the back.

Venomous snakes are best left alone. None of our species are particularly aggressive animals, but they will attempt to bite when handled.

Snake Species Within New York

All photos by John White (copyrighted). Used with permission from University of California CalPhotos collection

Black Rat

Black Rat Snake

Eastern Garter Snake

Eastern Hog Nose Snake

Eastern Hognose Snake

Eastern massasauga

Eastern Massasauga

Eastern Milk Snake

Eastern Worm Snake

Northern Black Racer

Northern Borwn Snake

Northern Copperhead

Northern Redbelly Snake

Northern Ringneck

Northern Water Snake

Queen Snake

Ribbon Snake

Smooth Green Snake

Timber Rattlesnake

No pictures available for:

Maritime garter snake (a subspecies of 'common garter snake')Shorthead garter snake (University of Pittsburgh photo HERE)For more information, visit the Cortland Herpetology Connection.

Sydenham Man Sees A House Snake Eat A Rat

Watching animals eat might not be everyone's idea of entertainment, yet countless people visit zoos specifically to witness feeding time.

There's something fascinating about seeing animals in their natural eating habits – it offers a unique connection to wildlife. However, the experience varies depending on the species.

If snakes aren't your thing, watching one constrict its prey might be more unsettling than intriguing.

For those curious about nature's workings and the food chain, these moments provide valuable insight. But they're also a stark, unfiltered reminder of the fundamental rule of survival: eat or be eaten.

A Sydenham man had a startling encounter while patrolling his neighbourhood in late January 2025 – witnessing a scene straight out of National Geographic.

In a TikTok video he shared, a brown snake is seen consuming a rat. It's a rare and fascinating glimpse of nature in action, but also undeniably chilling.

After all, snakes often evoke thoughts of danger, death, and all things unsettling.

Watch the video below (courtesy of TikTok) – but be warned, it's not for the faint-hearted!

The video was lengthy, and the snake didn't look like it would swallow the rat in one smooth gulp. But what was even more shocking was hearing that a taxi had allegedly run over both the snake and its prey.

In a world where snakes are often villainised, it's unlikely that anyone would have stopped to move it to the side of the road – let alone considered whether that's the right thing to do while a snake is mid-meal.

But what if it had been a puppy eating a bone?

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