Snakes Snakes Species: Nonvenomous, aggressive (found statewide): This account will focus on the four species that are • Northern water snake, Nerodia s. sipedon. often found near homes (the common garter snake, Common around homes with nearby ponds. eastern milk snake, black rat snake, and northern water snake). There are 17 species of snakes in New York. Venomous, defensive (found only in certain Eight of them are statewide. Listed below are the parts of the state): species found throughout the state, and the rarest • Eastern massasauga, Sistrurus c. catenatus (rare, in species, because three of them receive special legal Onondoga and Genessee counties only). protection. Endangered. New York is home to two endangered snakes (Eastern •Timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus (rare, in lower massasauga and queen snake), one threatened species Hudson Valley, parts of western New York, and the (timber rattlesnake), and two species of special concern southern Adirondacks). Threatened. (eastern hognose snake and eastern worm snake). •Northern copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen Although the category, “species of special concern” (lower Hudson Valley). does not give any extra protection, it does show that the population is low enough to worry biologists. How to tell a nonvenomous snake from a For more information and color photographs, see venomous one in New York: Cornell’s wildlife damage management fact sheet about snakes. Nonvenomous snake: Venomous snake: Pupil: round Pupil: like a cat’s eye, vertical Nonvenomous snakes, usually docile: No pit between the Pit between the eye and nostril Found statewide— eye and nostril (the 3 venomous snakes in NY • Common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis are all pit vipers) Common near homes. Shape of head variable, Broad, triangular-shaped head • Eastern milk snake, Lampropeltis t. tiiangulum often slender Common near homes. Scales underneath the tail, Scales underneath the tail, • Northern brown snake, Storeria d. dekayi toward the tip, are divided toward the tip, are undivided • Smooth green snake, Liochlorophis vernalis • Northern redbelly snake, Storeia o. occipitomaculata Size: • Eastern ribbon snake, Thamnophis sauritus 1 Black rat snake: Up to 4 /2 feet long. 1 • Northern ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus Garter snake: 2–4 /2 feet, usually smaller. 1 edwardsii Milk snake: Up to 4 /2 feet long. Sometimes confused Found only in certain parts of the state— for the copperhead. 1 •Black rat snake, Elaphe o. obsoleta (found only in Water snake: Up to 4 /2 feet long. scattered pockets, upstate). Common near homes. • Queen snake, Regina septemvittata. (rare, in scattered Signs of their presence: pockets in western New York). Endangered. • Water snakes often sun themselves on boat docks. •Milk snakes and black rat snakes are frequently • Eastern hognose snake, Heterdon platirhinos (coastal found in barns. plains and Hudson River Valley). Species of special • On cool days, you may find snakes (especially the concern. black rat snake) resting on top of the heating ducts • Eastern worm snake, Carphophis a. amoemus(coastal in buildings heated with forced hot air. plains and north to Albany county). Species of • Sounds: Silent, except for the rattlesnake, which special concern. rattles, and the milk snake,which may also vibrate • Shorthead garter snake, Thamnophis brachystoma its tail if annoyed. (southern tier only). • Scat: Elongated, whitish. The scat of a black rat snake may be large. B-57 Best practices for nuisance wildlife control operators: A training manual • Produced by the NYS DEC and Cornell Cooperative Extension Snakes • Large shed skin (over 2 foot long): Probably from a Black rat, garter, and milk snakes will follow their black rat snake. prey into barns and houses, usually in basements but • Evidence of their feeding: Hard to identify, because sometimes attics. That’s especially true for the black they swallow their prey whole. rat snake, because it’s an excellent climber. Most • Garden and crop damage: None, because they are snakes prefer sunny areas where rock or wood piles strictly carnivores. and other debris provide cool, shaded hiding places. • Building damage: None, because they use only They move from sunny to shady areas to regulate existing holes and entryways, and don’t create their body temperatures. others. Territory and home range: Not generally territorial, but snakes are faithful to den sites (“hibernacula”) in their Diet: home range. They’ll reuse these sites from year to year, Carnivores. Black rat snakes eat mostly small rodents and are sometimes found in large numbers. This makes and birds. Garter snakes eat mostly earthworms, but them vulnerable to habitat destruction and also slugs, amphibians, fish, crayfish, insects, small persecution. birds, other snakes, and carrion. Milk snakes eat rodents and other snakes. Water snakes eat mostly fish, Breeding habits: also amphibians, insects, and crayfish. Other snakes Pair bonding style: Polygamous. add spiders, bird eggs, and rabbits to the menu. Mating dates: Black rat: May–June. Garter: first few warm days after emerging from hibernation, usually Typical activity patterns: mid-March–May, then mates again in the fall before Social style: Solitary, but may hibernate with other entering hibernation. Milk snake: June. Water snake snakes, even those of different species. mates in April–May and again in the early fall. Daily activity: Mostly diurnal. Milk snakes are usually Egg-layers: Black rat and milk snakes lay eggs in loose nocturnal. soil, decaying wood, or sawdust or manure piles. Black Hibernator? Yes. Snakes will often hibernate (usually rat snakes lay their eggs from May through early July. from October/November to March/April) in a large Milk snakes lay theirs in mid-June–July. group that may include snakes of different species. Live young: Garter and northern water snakes. Migrates? No, but they do move to hibernating site. Birthing/eggs hatch dates: Garter snakes give birth July– early September. Northern water snakes give birth in August–early October. The eggs of the black rat snake Where found: hatch between July and September, those of the milk Distribution in NY and the Northeast: The common snake from late August–October. garter snake, milk snake, and water snake are common Clutch size: Black rat snake: average 14 (6–24). throughout New York. The black rat snake is only Garter: av. 14–40 (3–85). Milk snake: av. 13 (6–24). found in certain spots in upstate New York. There is Northern water snake: av. 20–40 (10–76). another species of garter snake (the shorthead garter Weaning dates: Young are able to fend for themselves snake) that is common, but only in the southern tier. at birth or upon hatching. Habitat: Black rat snake—woods, fields, rocky hillsides, river bottoms. Often found in barns or other areas that Common nuisance situations: are home to rodents. Time of year: Spring through fall. Garter snake—wide variety of moist areas, from woodlands to marshes to fields. Snakes don’t damage buildings or eat crops. They only Milk snake—usually seeks brushy or woody cover enter buildings through existing holes, cracks or in many of same habitats favored by black rat snake. “doors” (such as an open window). Some people are Also often found in barns or other areas that are afraid of snakes. Others welcome them, because some home to rodents and other snakes. snakes eat mice and rats and help to control those pest Water snake—rivers, brooks, wet meadows, ponds, populations. Remember, however, that if a snake can and swamps, preferably still or slow-moving water, get into a home, so can other creatures. in areas with overhanging branches and rocks (for cover and basking). Common near dams and bridges. Often suns on boat docks. B-58 Best practices for nuisance wildlife control operators: A training manual • Produced by the NYS DEC and Cornell Cooperative Extension Snakes What are they doing? Best practices •These snakes sometimes hibernate in buildings, Remove their food sources: especially the basements of old houses with stone •Grains, pet food, and bird seed will attract mice, foundations. They usually enter houses through torn insects, and other species, which then attract snakes. screens, open basement windows, cracks in the Keep these foods in mouse- or insect-proof foundation, or through gaps next to pipe and cable containers. Exclude insects and mice from your entrances. buildings. • They follow prey (mice, insects) into cellars, crawl • Reduce the amount of mulch in your garden, around spaces, attics, barns, sheds, garages. They may also trees and shrubs (again, this will discourage mice be found in wood piles and debris, in heavily and other potential snake food). mulched gardens, and under shrubs, tarps or planks. They seek cool, damp, dark places. Reduce their shelter: • Their presence may frighten or annoy people. Several • Mow closely around the building. species, including the garter snake, may emit a foul • Remove wood piles, junk, and piles of rocks. and musky smell when handled. • Don’t plant right next to the foundation, because •Disease risks: salmonellosis (food poisoning). that provides cover for snakes and many pests. •Injury risks: nonvenomous snakes have tiny teeth. They leave a faint, U-shaped bite mark.Their bites Prevent them from entering building: rarely hurt much or cause problems, with the 1 • Seal all openings that are larger than /4” with exception of the northern water snake, which is mortar, expanding foam, cooper mesh (Stuf-Fit®), known for its nasty bite.Few people encounter New 1 /4” hardware cloth, or sheet metal. York’s venomous snakes, and fewer still are bitten— 1 • Fences may keep them out. Use /4” hardware cloth. and even then, the bites are rarely fatal. A bite from The fence should be 3 ft. high, buried 1 ft. deep, one of New York’s venomous snakes (copperhead, with the bottom edge bent outward into a “L”- massasauga, timber rattlesnake) will swell, hurt, and shaped shelf that sticks out at a 90° angle to prevent turn black and blue.