21 snakes to look out for in Western Pennsylvania
Venomous species
Northern Copperhead
Size: 24-36 inches
Habitat: Deciduous forest, open fields and clearings (often near streams, but water is not a habitat requirement), rock crops, rock ledges, open habitat with rock and vegetation. May be found under large logs, rocks, around brush piles, rock crevices or slides
Timber Rattlesnake
Size: 36-60 inches
Habitat: Upland forest with rocky outcroppings, talus slopes, rock crevices, rock ledges with vegetation, mature forest with numerous fallen logs, young forest with predominant leaf litter cover.
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Size: 18-40 inches
Habitat: Swamps, marshes, bogs, peat lands, wet meadows, prairie lands, low lying poorly drained soil, dry open fields with lots of vegetation. The habitat will vary with seasons. Spring & fall they can be found in the wetter habitats, and summer they may be found in dry habitats.
Non-venomous species
Eastern Wormsnake
Size: 4-9 inches
Habitat: Rocky bluffs, pine wood and hardwood forest, old fields, partially wooded areas near/above streams, wetland borders. May be found under rocks, logs, stumps, or in flower beds.
Kirtland's Snake
Size: 14-24.5 inches
Habitat: Open wetlands, marshes, canals, wet prairies, wet pastures, forested wetlands and floodplains, urban ponds, parks, and vacant lots. May be found in burrows/crayfish holes, under leaf litter, logs, rocks, or other human debris.
Northern Racer
Size: 36-60 inches
Habitat: Meadows, old fields, farmland, open wooded areas, rock crevices, rock formations. May be found under logs, stumps, boards and other debris.
Northern Ring-Necked Snake
Size: 12-15 inches
Habitat: Rocky areas, damp hardwood forest, near streams, old fields, rocky hills, grassy fields. May be found under rocks, logs, bark or leaf litter.
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake
Size: 20-33 inches
Habitat: Wooded hillsides, grassy fields, cultivated fields, dirt roads, open forest, dry areas with loose soil or sand.
Eastern Milksnake
Size: 24-42 inches
Habitat: Open country, ecotones, human habitats, road-cuts, power line right-of-ways, rocky hillsides, bog borders and deciduous forests. May be found under cover objects, rocks, logs, boards, tin or other building debris.
Northern Watersnake
Size: 24-55 inches
Habitat: Wide variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, creeks, canals, swamps, marshes and wet meadows. May be found under rocks, logs or boards, but are mainly seen in the open basking or swimming.
Northern Rough Greensnake
Size: 22-32 inches
Habitat: Moist habitat, waterways in woodlands, lake and river borders, moist meadows. Mostly found in trees or shrubs near water, and seldom seen on the ground.
Smooth Greensnake
Size: 14-20 inches
Habitat: Lower shrub vegetation, old fields, pastures, farmland, meadows, bog borders and forest clearings. Found mostly in the open, but may be found under rocks or logs.
Eastern Ratsnake
Size: 40-101 inches
Habitat: Meadows, old fields, farmland, open wooded areas. May be found under logs, boards and other debris.
Queensnake
Size: 14-23 inches
Habitat: Slow to fast flowing "clean" streams, creeks, rivers, small lakes, ponds with a good source of crayfish. May be found around or under loose rocks, retainer walls, vegetation, or on small trees, shrubs and logs.
Northern Brownsnake
Size: 9-13 inches
Habitat: Dense forest to open grasslands, dry hillsides to marsh borders of ponds and lakes, abandoned human habitats, vacant lots and other variable habitats. May be found under rocks, logs, boards or other debris.
Northern Red-Bellied Snake
Size: 8-16 inches
Habitat: Deciduous hardwood forest and upland regions, open canopy woodlands, wood/field borders, wood/stream borders, moist woodlands, open fields, marsh or bog borders. May be found under rocks, logs, bark or other natural debris.
Shorthead Garter snake
Size: 18-26 inches
Habitat: Open country, dense woodlands, old fields, meadows, and wood/field borders. May be found under stones, rocks, logs, boards and other debris, but is often seen out moving or basking.
Ribbon snakes
Size: 20-34 inches
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, grassy fields, deciduous forest, swamps, near ponds, or bogs with a permanent water source. May be found in trees or shrubs, or on land, near or in water.
Eastern Garter snake
Size: 20-34 inches
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, grassy fields, deciduous forest, swamps, near ponds or bogs with a permanent water source. May be found in trees or shrubs, or on land, near or in water.
Mountain Earthsnake
Size: 7-13 inches
Habitat: Hardwood or mixed hardwood conifer forest in upland regions. Steep hillsides with rocky cover and second growth vegetation. Mainly found under rocks.
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake
Size: 7-13 inches
Habitat: Deciduous forest, open hardwood forest, wood/field borders. May be found under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and other surface debris.
