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SNAKES
OF NEW JERSEY
GENERAL
DESCRIPTIONS
NORTHERN
WATER SNAKE The water
snake, one of the most common snakes in New Jersey, inhabits freshwater streams,
ponds, lakes, swamps, marshes, and bogs throughout the state. It is usually seen
basking on logs and stream banks. The young are born live in late summer and are
more brilliantly colored than the rather plain dark brown or black adults which
may exhibit dark cross bands on the necks and the forepart of the body. The
water snake is the only snake you will find consistently in the waters of New
Jersey and it may measure from 9 to 50 inches long with an average of about 30
inches. It feeds primarily on fishes, various amphibians, crayfish, and small
rodents. This snake is frequently misidentified as the cottonmouth, which does
not occur in New Jersey. The water snake can exhibit a mean disposition and can
inflict a painful, nonvenomous bite if carelessly handled.
QUEEN
SNAKE At the edge of
its range In New Jersey, this species inhabits a narrow area adjacent to the
Delaware River from just south of Trenton to the Camden county line; it is
considered uncommon. This is a slender brown snake about 8 to 36 (record) inches
long with a yellowish belly exhibiting four longitudinal brown stripes. The
two outer stripes are larger. It is always found near water and may be observed
swimming as it searches for crayfish, its favorite food. The young are born in
September.
NORTHERN
BROWN SNAKE
Frequently called the ‘city snake”, as it may show up in city parks,
playgrounds, cemeteries, vacant lots, and around trash, the brown snake occurs
statewide and is common in New Jersey. It measures from 4 to 15 inches in length
and is best identified by the two rows of dark spots down the back. The general
color ranges from dark to light brown to a deep reddish brown. The belly is a
pale yellow, brown, or pinkish.
RED-BELLIED
SNAKE This Is a small
snake measuring from 3 to 14 inches in length and colored gray or brown with a
red belly and light spots on the back of the head. There is considerable
variation in the color pattern, as it ranges from gray to black, and in some
cases the belly may be blue-black. The red-bellied snake occurs statewide except
along the immediate coastline and in built-up areas; within this range its
distribution is spotty, as it is common in some areas and rare in others. It
inhabits hedgerows, stone walls, fields, and wood lots, where it feeds upon
insects, slugs, earthworms, myriapods, and sowbugs. The red-bellied snake is
secretive, and its habits are not well known.
EASTERN
GARTER SNAKE Probably
our most common snake, the garter snake is found throughout the state in fields,
meadows, and woodlands; along streams; and in city lots and dumps. It feeds
primarily on frogs, salamanders, slugs, earthworms, and insects. This snake is
identified by the three longitudinal stripes of yellow or cream on a dark
background of brown or olive; there may be a row of square spots between the
stripes. Garter snakes average about 25 inches long, but may reach 48 inches.
Young are born in late summer and one individual snake can give birth to about
30 young, though large adults have been known to bear as many as 90.
EASTERN
RIBBON SNAKE Generally
found statewide except in the major metropolitan areas, the ribbon snake is the
trimmest member of the garter snake family. It is semiaquatic, seldom wandering
far from bogs, swamps, and streams, where it feeds primarily on frogs,
salamanders, and small fishes. Compared to the similar garter snake, the ribbon
snake has a tail which is extra long, averaging 1/4 to 1/3 of its body length,
which in turn ranges from 7 to 36 inches. The 3 to 20 young are born in August.
The distinguishing characteristics of the ribbon snake are the three bright
yellow stripes set off against the dark body.
EASTERN
EARTH SNAKE This
3-1/2 to 10-inch snake is seldom seen, for it spends
most of its life under debris in or near deciduous forests. It is an uncommon
snake which occurs primarily in the Piedmont and coastal Plain regions of the
state. The earth snake is smooth-scaled and gray or reddish brown with a white
belly. It feeds primarily on earthworms. Two to four young are born in
September. The smooth earth snake may be reasonably abundant in certain limited
areas, but very few New Jersey citizens will ever encounter it.
EASTERN
HOGNOSE SNAKE The
hognose snake occurs statewide except in the metropolitan areas. Over the years
their numbers have been reduced and they are presently uncommon in most parts of
the state. The most distinguishing feature of this snake is its upturned
snout, which is used for burrowing. The coloration is variable, ranging from a
background of yellow, gray, or brown with black, brown, or red spots; the belly
is usually mottled gray. Lengths range from 5-1/2 to 30 inches. Hognose snakes
usually inhabit sandy soils and spend most of their time above ground rather
than under objects. The female lays 4 to 46 eggs in June and July. Food consists
primarily of toads and frogs. This snake attempts to bluff attackers by puffing
up its body and assuming a striking position—if unsuccessful, it may roll over
and play dead.
NORTHERN
RINGNECK SNAKE A
generally common snake of the Piedmont and Appalachian regions of the state, the
northern ringneck snake does not occur south of Monmouth County. This snake is
from 10 to 15 inches in length with a plain yellow belly occasionally dotted
with black; the back is dark with a golden neck collar. This secretive snake is
found mostly in woodlands and rocky hills and in areas where there is an
abundance of hiding places. The northern ringneck snake feeds on salamanders,
frogs, and earthworms. One to eight eggs are laid in June and July. This
subspecies intergrades with the southern ringneck snake which occurs in the Coastal Plain of southern New Jersey. The
southern ringneck snake is distinguished from the northern primarily by the
large half-moon-shaped dots on its belly, and by a “break” in the collar.
EASTERN
WORM SNAKE A small
snake only 7-1/2 to 12 inches long, the eastern worm snake closely resembles an
earthworm but has scales; it is colored plain brown with a pink belly and a pink
tongue. The head is generally pointed. The worm snake is almost always found in
moist soil under stones, boards, and rotten logs. Its food is mostly earthworms
and soft-bodied insects. One to five eggs are laid in June. The worm snake is
distributed statewide except in the developed metropolitan areas, but is seldom
seen except by those nature students who seek it out and recognize it.
NORTHERN
BLACK RACER This snake, simply called “black snake” by the casual
observer, occurs throughout the state in unpopulated areas, avoiding the
metropolitan regions. It is shiny black above and gunmetal gray below, with an
occasional white area on the chin and throat. A large snake of up to 72 inches,
the black racer may travel with its head slightly raised and is able to climb
trees. It feeds on frogs, lizards, birds, rodents, and insects, and is found
primarily in fields and open woodlands. Eggs are laid in June or July and hatch
in late August. Hibernation is in large groups of 30 to 40 snakes. The black
racer is a rather aggressive snake which frequently bites when handled.
ROUGH
GREEN SNAKE A beautiful snake which frequently climbs bushes and small
trees, the rough green snake is frequently called “vine snake” because of
its slender body which is light green above and plain white, yellow, or pale
greenish below. Its scales are “Keeled”—that is, each one has a central
longitudinal ridge. Feeding primarily on insects, it is usually found in dense
growth especially along streams and lakes. Three to 13 eggs are laid in July and
August. This snake is difficult to locate, but once observed, it is long
remembered for its beauty. The rough green snake occurs primarily in southern
New Jersey from Monmouth and Mercer counties southward and is considered common.
EASTERN
SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE
The eastern smooth green snake is similar to the rough
green snake except that its scales are smooth rather than keeled. It is known to
occur only in the extreme northwestern counties of Sussex and Warren, where its
preferred habitat includes low bushes, open woods, and meadows. Largely
terrestrial and not displaying the climbing ability of the rough green snake,
the eastern smooth green snake consumes mostly spiders and insects. The eggs are
laid in July. This snake is considered to be common within its limited range.
CORN
SNAKE The corn snake
is a red-and-orange snake locally called the “red rat snake.” The color
pattern is widely variable, ranging from browns, to oranges, to grays, marked
with 39 to 45 dark patches on a background of light to dark gray; the belly is
usually white with a checkerboard pattern of black. Its length ranges from 9 to
60 inches. This snake climbs well, but is most often found on the ground in the
Pine Barrens. In New Jersey the corn snake is restricted to the pinelands of
Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties. Rodents comprise most of
its food. Five to 18 eggs are laid In July or August. This snake is considered
uncommon in New Jersey and is on the State Threatened Species List.
BLACK
RAT SNAKE This is New
Jersey’s largest snake, ranging from 14 to 101 Inches in length. The black
rat snake has a shiny black body that may show traces of a spotted pattern; the
belly is frequently cloudy gray on a brown, white, or yellowish background. The
black rat snake prefers dense woods and thickets and is found statewide except
in densely populated areas and along the coast. These snakes frequent hillsides,
fields, stone walls, barns, and trees. From 5 to 24 eggs are laid in June and
July. Black rat snakes are occasionally called “Pilot Snakes,” as they may
be found around rattlesnakes and copperheads which they are erroneously reported
to pilot to safety. Although their numbers are declining they are still
considered common in New Jersey.
NORTHERN
PINE SNAKE A
large black-and-white snake, ranging from 15 to 83 inches in Length, the
northern pine snake has dark blotches that are black toward the front of the
body but that may become brown closer to the tail. The belly is usually a dull
white, yellow, or gray. A threatened species in New Jersey, the pine snake
occurs primarily in the pinelands of southern New Jersey; habitat destruction
and illegal collecting have reduced the numbers of this snake in certain areas.
The pine snake climbs trees readily but spends a considerable amount of time
burrowing. It feeds primarily on rodents and lays its eggs in June. The young
measure from 15 to 18 inches at hatching.
EASTERN
KINGSNAKE. Frequently
referred to as the “chain snake” because of its shiny black color patterned
with large white or cream-colored links, the eastern king snake measures from 32
to 82 inches and spends most of its time on the ground around the borders of
swamps and streambeds. King snakes are often found under logs and debris, but
frequently bask in the open. They feed on other snakes, including venomous ones,
and also on turtle eggs, rodents, birds, and frogs. From 3 to 24 eggs are laid
in June and hatch in August. This snake, locally called the “swamp wamper,”
is found only in southern New Jersey from southern Monmouth County southward and
is considered common in New Jersey.
EASTERN
MILK SNAKE A slender snake which is gray strongly marked with red or
brown blotches, and with a Y- or V-shaped light patch on the neck region, the
eastern milk snake has predominantly black borders around the reddish blotches.
Because of their presence around barns, people erroneously believed that these
snakes sucked milk from cows, hence their name. Unfortunately, this snake bears
a superficial resemblance to the copperhead, and many are killed merely for this
reason. It is easy to tell the two apart, however—the milk snake is much
slimmer and has a less constricted neck than the copperhead. Found throughout
New Jersey, the milk snake frequently finds its way into urban areas. Usually
found under boards and rocks, in barns and on rocky hillsides, it feeds
primarily on rodents, but will also take smaller snakes, frogs, birds, and their
eggs. Six to 24 eggs are laid in June and hatch in late August. This snake is
considered common throughout most of its range. In the southern region of the
state, the milk snake intergrades with the scarlet king snake and is sometimes
referred to as the “coastal plains milk snake.”
NORTHERN SCARLET SNAKE An uncommon little snake measuring from 6 to 24 inches, the northern scarlet snake resembles the dangerous coral snake of the south. The scarlet snake has a sharp red snout and red bands that do not go all the way around the body and that are bordered by black with white or cream interspaces. In the pinelands of Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic counties, the scarlet snake is found on the sandy soils usually hiding under logs, boards, or trash. It seldom comes above ground except at night. Foods include mice, lizards, turtle eggs, and small snakes.
NORTHERN
COPPERHEAD The
copperhead is one of the two venomous snakes found in New Jersey. It occurs from
the lower Piedmont to the Appalachian Highlands. Old rocky fields, berry
thickets, woodlands, farmlands, haystacks, old sawdust piles, and even backyards
are typical habitats. Copperheads measure from 8 to 48 inches in length. A
distinguishing characteristic is its hourglass pattern of a dark or reddish
brown on a background of light brown or reddish gray; the head is usually a
copper color. A typical pit viper, the copperhead has a heat-sensing hole or pit
between the eye and the nostril, and an elliptical pupil. Copperheads are
considered less venomous than rattlesnakes, and few deaths have occurred from
their bite; still, they should be avoided. Even the young snakes can inflict a
painful bite and enough venom to make one ill. The copperhead frequently
hibernates with the timber rattlesnake in rocky dens which extend below the
frost lines. They give birth to from 6 to 17 young in mid-August to early
October. They feed primarily on fishes, frogs, rodents, and some insects, but
birds are also taken. The copperhead is considered uncommon in most portions of
New Jersey but occasionally one or two are found In the vicinity of developed
areas of northern New Jersey; copperheads do not occur in southern New Jersey.
TIMBER
RATTLESNAKE This is
potentially the most dangerous snake in New Jersey because of its large size
and the amount of venom it can inject; however, there has not been a verified
case of a timber rattlesnake bite occurring in the wilds of New Jersey for many
years. The timber rattlesnake is found in the Appalachian Region of extreme
northwestern New Jersey and also in the mountains of north central New Jersey;
also inhabits the pinelands of Ocean, Atlantic, Burlington, and Cumberland
counties. The timber rattlesnake has two color phases: black and yellow. The
black phase consists of the head and the posterior third of the body being black
with dark saddles and incomplete chevrons almost obscured by the dark pigment in
the ground color. The yellow phase is more dramatic, with the head having only a
little brown pigment, the saddles and chevrons always black or brown, and the
tall always black. The rattle, which is used as a warning device, is located at
the end of the tail. Rattlesnakes range in length from 10 to 60 inches. They
feed primarily on rodents, birds, and occasionally frogs. From 5 to 20 young are
born live in August and September. During the summer they scatter throughout
their range, but during the fall they return to dens in large numbers; research
indicates that rattlers tend to return to the same den sites year after year.
The northern New Jersey limestone outcroppings provide ideal denning sites. In
southern New Jersey rattlesnakes seek out stump holes, old brush piles, and
spill heaps in isolated areas of the Pine Barrens. Over collecting and
indiscriminate killing have reduced the timber rattlesnake to endangered species
status in New Jersey.
A
final warning. Never lose respect for or become careless around venomous snakes.
While they may appear docile they may strike without provocation. NEVER FOOL
AROUND WITH OR FREE-HANDLE A VENOMOUS SNAKE AND NEVER KEEP ONE IN THE HOUSE.