Snakes Indigenous to Pennsylvania

Eastern Garter Snake

• Garter snakes are one of most common snakes in the United States. They have a distinct coloring pattern, usually consisting of three yellow stripes with dark spots laid out in a checkerboard pattern. They thrive in a variety of habitats, including marshes, streams, damp wooded areas, meadows, parks, gardens, farms and forest edges. Garter snakes are harmless to humans.

Copperhead

• The copperhead is a venomous pit viper that is not only common in Pennsylvania, but in the rest of the eastern United States. Copperheads are colorful and have very distinct markings including, as the name implies, a copper-colored head. The background color of the snake ranges from tan to pink, while the cross bands are a darker, chestnut color. The typical size range for copperheads is 2 to 3 feet.

Black Rat Snake

• The black rat snake is a relatively large species, measuring an average 42 to 72 inches. As the name states, the snake is almost completely black, with a small patch of white on the chin. Young black rat snakes have a color pattern that resembles the copperhead, but the coloring darkens as the snake matures. This species is not venomous, however it has an interesting defense mechanism in the form of a secreted, foul-smelling musk that deters would-be predators.

Northern Ringneck Snake

• Ringneck snakes are relatively small, measuring only 10 to 15 inches when fully grown. This species has a black back with a bright orange ring around the neck. The belly of the snake is a very colorful orange or yellow. Like the garter, the ringneck is one of the most common snakes in the United States. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, but they prefer woodlands.

Other Common Species

• While the garter, copperhead, black rat snake and ringneck snake are four of the most abundant varieties of snake indigenous to Pennsylvania, there are eight other varieties common in that state, including the northern black racer, eastern hognose snake, eastern milk snake, northern water snake and the northern redbelly snake.