Catalog of Snakes from Central New York

Black Rat Snake This is the largest snake in this area as well as all of New York State and the entire country of Canada. The one I photographed here is normal sized, about four feet long. The record is over seven feet. It is seldom seen, preferring rocky habitat in deep woods. The color is usually shades of gray from white to black. I've seen some with yellow lines although this may be due to genetic cross-breeding. Location: Ithaca Details: Striking pose, Skin detail, Aside my four foot walking stick.

Eastern Garter Snake Widely common in our area. This snake is among the first to appear in the Spring and the last to be seen in the Fall. I found this one while fossil hunting on October 27th. Location: Tully Details: Close-up.

Smooth Green Snake Our only green snake with smooth scales. This one is about 15 inches long. Location: Virgil Details: Close-up, In my hand.

Eastern Ringneck Snake Our only snake with a light ring around its neck. This is an immature one. They hatch in August to September and this one was found September 12th. Although they grow up to twenty inches in length, this one was, at most, a foot long. It was found on one of my outings by an entomologist's sister who was visiting from Washington state. Location: Lansing Details: None.

Red-Bellied Snake Found in the city of Cortland, NY. This is a common snake living in all states east of the Mississippi River. It grows to 16 inches in length and has an appetite for insects, earthworms and slugs. Photo Credit: Norm Trigoboff. Location: Cortland Details: None.

Eastern Milk Snake A highly variable species. This snake was found in broad sunlight around 10AM in the middle of a well-used trail in a state park. It seemed stressed/irritated and actually bit a friend's shoe. These snakes are normally nocturnal and feed on rodents, frogs, eggs and other snakes. Location: South of Syracuse, NY. Details: None.

Northern Water Snake During my village's first creek clean-up, someone found this snake in Trout Brook. Apparently someone had tied a rope around it's neck. When we found it, it had been dead for days. Nonetheless, it was in fairly good condition with only its middle part eaten. Location: McGraw Details: None.

Northern Brown Snake Identified by the two lines of small dark spots along the brown back and pale white belly. A small snake that can grow to nineteen inches long. Commonly nocturnal and rests during the day under various flat covers such as roofing tiles, stones, boards, etc.. This snake was found under a rock. Photo Credit: Norm Trigoboff. Location: Lansing Details: None.