Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series Snakes Kristi L. Sullivan and Paul D. Curtis Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wildlife Damage Management Program Seventeen species of snakes, which occu- three—the northern copperhead, eastern tongue that helps them smell. Gaseous py a variety of different habitats, can be massasauga, and timber rattlesnake—are particles from odors are picked up by the found in New York State (Table 1). Eight venomous. The other species are non- tongue and inserted into a two-holed of these species—the water snake, brown venomous. Snakes do not actually cause organ, called the Jacobson’s Organ, at the snake, redbelly snake, eastern garter damage, but an occasional snake that roof of the mouth. snake, ribbon snake, ringneck snake, enters a home or other building may be The two halves of a snake’s jaw are smooth green snake, and milk snake— considered an unwelcome visitor. All not fused together but are loosely con- occur statewide. Of these, the garter snakes native to New York State play an nected by a ligament, allowing it to swal- snake is the most common and the important ecological role, both as preda- low food much larger than its head. species most likely to be encountered tors and as prey for other species. Snakes are poikilotherms (temperature near residences. Others, like the eastern varies with outside environment) and are worm snake or eastern massasauga, are General Biology not very active. Therefore, one meal may rare and occur in isolated patches. The last them several weeks. Because snakes eastern hognose snake and the eastern Snakes are specialized animals with elon- are poikilotherms they hibernate during worm snake are species of special con- gated bodies and no legs. They have no cold winter months during which they cern in New York State, the timber rat- ears, externally or internally, and no eye- consume no food. Some snakes, like the tlesnake is threatened, and the eastern lids, although they do have a protective milk snake, lay eggs in loose soil, hollow massasauga and the queen snake are window over the eye. A snake’s organs trees, or piles of sawdust. Others, like endangered. Of the 17 species of snakes, are elongated. They have a long, forked the garter snake, give birth to live young. Venomous Nonvenomous elliptical pupil round pupil no pit between eye and pit between eye and nostril nostril undivided scales on divided scales on underside of tail underside of tail Figure 1. Distinctions between venomous and nonvenomous snakes Snakes, Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, N.Y. ©2001 by Cornell University. Snakes are very faithful to specific den The water snake is common in aquat- nate with dark spots on the side. and nesting sites in their home range, ic and semiaquatic habitats such as Hognose snakes put on a defensive dis- which they may share with snakes of the rivers, brooks, wet meadows, ponds, and play when frightened, spreading the skin same or different species. Snakes also swamps. It prefers areas with branches around their necks like a cobra, hissing may use the same nesting sites year after or logs overhanging the water or boul- and lunging. Nevertheless, they almost year. Because they are very tied to the ders near dams and bridges. As an adult, never bite. Hognose snakes prefer to feed sites they use and may occur in large it is a stout animal typically dark brown on toads, though they will also take numbers in those places, they are very to black with lighter-colored bands and frogs, salamanders, small mammals, vulnerable to habitat destruction and splotches along its length. Although not birds, and invertebrates. persecution. venomous, the water snake is an aggres- The northern black racer is a large sive species that will not hesitate to bite. black snake with smooth scales, a white Habitat and Food Habits These snakes often will sun on boat or gray throat, and a dark belly from its docks to the consternation of many throat back. Black racers feed on a vari- Snakes live in a variety of different habi- beach-front property owners. ety of prey, including other snakes and tats. Some, like the eastern worm snake, In addition to the snake species most the young of their own species. live underground, rarely venturing onto commonly found around homes, several Though usually smaller, the black rat the surface except on warm, humid others may be encountered. The north- snake can reach a length of up to eight nights. Others, such as the green snake, ern brown, redbelly, ringneck, and green feet. Black with a white or yellow chin live in grassy openings. The water snake snakes are all small, slender species that and throat, it differs from the black racer and ribbon snake make their homes in are well described by their names. These in that its belly is a mixture of white and wetlands and near other bodies of water. species feed on insects, spiders, earth- black. Black rat snakes feed on small Most snakes, however, prefer sunny areas worms, slugs, and amphibians. mammals, birds, and bird eggs and are where rock piles, logs, and other debris The northern brown snake is brown adept climbers. provide cool, shaded hiding places. to grayish in color with a broad light The copperhead is a copper-colored, Around the home snakes are attracted to stripe bordered by dark spots down its thick-bodied venomous snake. It has stacks of firewood, old lumber piles, back. dark yellowish or light brown bands that junk piles, rock walls, old wells and The northern redbelly snake is typi- alternate with darker bands that form an foundations, flower beds with heavy cally brown, bronze, or slate gray on its hourglass pattern along the length of the mulch, gardens, shrubbery growing back, with an underside of red, orange, snake. Though often confused with other against foundations, banks of streams or occasionally yellow. nonvenomous snakes, the copperhead and ponds, unmowed lawns, abandoned The ringneck is slate gray, black, or has the distinctive characteristics of ven- lots and fields, basements, and barn lofts brown with smooth scales that give it a omous snakes including a broad, trian- (especially where rodents are abundant). satin appearance. It is distinguished by a gular shaped head and vertical pupils. The most common species that people complete yellow band around its neck. Copperheads eat small mammals such as encounter in and around the home in The ringneck feeds primarily on sala- mice and voles, small birds, amphibians, New York are the garter snake, milk manders but will also eat earthworms, insects, and other snakes. snake, and water snake. Garter snakes insects, and an occasional fish. The timber rattlesnake is a large, use a wide variety of habitats, from Beautiful and light green in color, the thick-bodied snake with a rattle at the woodlands to marshes to fields. These smooth green snake is unmistakable and tip of its tail. The rattlesnake has two dif- snakes are variable in color and pattern. striking in appearance. This small, docile ferent color phases, yellow to brown The basic color is dark brown or green species feeds on crickets, grasshoppers, (yellow phase) or gray to black (black with three yellowish stripes down the caterpillars, beetles, spiders, centipedes, phase). The rattlesnake’s primary foods sides and back. They may reach lengths and millipedes. are mammals, including mice, shrews, of two feet but are typically smaller. The eastern ribbon snake is slender chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits. Garter snakes feed on earthworms, and striped and resembles the garter amphibians, carrion, insects, small birds, snake but has a much longer tail, Description of Damage slugs, fish, crayfish, and other snakes. accounting for one-third or more of its The milk snake is frequently encoun- total body length. It has three bold yel- Snakes are attracted to cool, damp, dark tered in barns or other areas where its low stripes that run along its reddish- areas associated with buildings, particu- food—rodents and other snakes—may brown back. The ribbon snake prefers to larly if the structure is home to rodents be present. The milk snake is boldly pat- feed on amphibians but will also eat fish or insects. Snakes may enter houses terned (brown or reddish blotches on a and insects. through torn screens, open basement light gray to tan body) above with a dis- A fascinating creature, the eastern windows, or cracks in foundation walls tinctive black and white checkered hognose snake has a thick body and an or floors. They may also be found in underside. The milk snake may vibrate upturned nose. It has a yellow, gray, barns, sheds, or other outbuildings. its tail when annoyed. brown, olive, or black background color, Snakes may bite if threatened or han- with a pattern of large rectangular spots dled. Many species will excrete a foul- down the middle of the back that alter- smelling musk if handled. Snakes, Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, N.Y. ©2001 by Cornell University. Nonvenomous snakes Black rat snake Common garter snake Eastern hognose snake Eastern milk snake Eastern ribbon snake Northern black racer Northern brown snake Northern ringneck snake Northern water snake Venomous snakes Red-bellied snake Northern copperhead Timber rattlesnake Snakes, Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, N.Y. ©2001 by Cornell University. Table 1. Snakes of New York Common Name Habitat Distribution and Abundance Disposition Black rat snake Woodlands, thickets, field edges, Scattered pockets in upstate Large size makes it (Elaphe o. obsoleta) farmlands New York intimidating Common garter snake Almost all damp environments Throughout New York Most are docile (Thamnophis sirtalis) Eastern hognose snake Sandy soils, wetlands, and Coastal plains of New York Usually docile but can put (Heterodon platirhinos) occasionally on rocky slopes and Hudson River Valley on an aggressive display Eastern massasauga Marshy areas or bogs Two small, isolated Defensive (Sistrurus c.