Snakes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has around 20 snake species, of which three are venomous, the timber rattlesnake being the deadliest. The timber rattlesnakes, almost 5ft long, mainly found in central Pennsylvania, inhabit the mountainous terrain, dwelling along outcrops, rocky ledges, boulder fields, and talus slopes. Of the non-venomous snakes, the garter snakes are pretty common here, particularly the eastern garter snake, found in lawns, gardens, parks, and cemeteries.
The eastern rat snake, around 7 feet long, is Pennsylvania’s largest snake.
| Groups | Venomous | Non-venomous |
|---|---|---|
| Rattlesnakes | Timber Rattlesnake Eastern Massasauga | – |
| Pit Vipers | Northern Copperhead | – |
| Garter Snakes | – | Eastern Garter Snake Shorthead Garter Snake Ribbon Snake |
| Hognose Snakes | – | Eastern Hog-nosed Snake |
| Water Snakes | – | Common Watersnake Brown Water Snake |
| Kingsnakes | – | Eastern Milk Snake |
| Clonophis | – | Kirtland’s Snake |
| Opheodrys | – | Rough Green Snake Smooth Green Snake |
| Regina | – | Queen Snake |
| Virginia | – | Mountain Earth Snake Eastern Smooth Earth Snake |
| Pantherophis | – | Eastern Rat Snake |
| Storeria | – | Northern Brown Snake Northern Redbelly Snake |
| Carphophis | – | Eastern Worm Snake |
| Coluber | – | Eastern Racer |
Diadophis | – | Northern Ringneck Snake |
Snakes by Colors and Patterns
Black Snakes: Eastern Rat Snake, Queen Snake
Brown Snakes: Easter Garter Snake, Northern Brown Snake, Eastern Worm Snake
Snakes by Regions
Snakes in Northern Pennsylvania: Mountain Earth Snake,
Snakes in Southern Pennsylvania: Eastern Worm Snake, Rough Green Snake,
Snakes in Eastern Pennsylvania: Shorthead Garter Snake
Snakes in Western Pennsylvania: Eastern Massasauga, Kirtland’s Snake, Ribbon Snake
Snakes in Central Pennsylvania: Timber Rattlesnake
Quick Information
Largest Snake: Eastern Rat Snake
Most Dangerous Snakes: Timber Rattlesnake
