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Snakes
Snakes that are native to Long Island are NOT DANGEROUS TO HUMANS. The only possibility of encountering a dangerously venomous snake on Long Island is in the case of finding an escaped pet (and even then, most snakes kept as pets are not dangerous to humans).
Snakes are occasionally found in houses or other buildings in the colder months, due to the fact that the building is warm. Snakes are ectothermic ("cold-blooded") and typically hibernate when the outdoor temperature is too cold for them.
There is no such thing as an orphaned snake. Mother snakes lay their eggs in late spring/early summer. Hatchling snakes are totally self-sufficient and should be left alone.
If you have found a snake and are in need of assistance, contact us.
Please do not attempt to collect wild snakes as pets, or release your own pets into the wild, as it is often illegal and always unwise. For information on snakes and other reptiles as pets, check out the Long Island Herpetological Society or Kingsnake.com.
Identifying Snakes
Snakes that are native to Long Island are listed below. More detailed descriptions and photos of each type of snake can be found at Dr. Burke's Key to Regional Snakes
- Northern Brown Snake - 9-13 inches body length. Dark brown to tan, two parallel rows of dark spots down back. Fairly common in a variety of habitats.
- Northern Water Snake - 22-44 inches body length. Reddish brown to grayish brown, with a pattern of dark bands. Common in areas near water.
- Common Garter Snake and Eastern Garter Snake - 18-51 inches body length. Color is variable but inclues a stripe down the back. Capable of producing a musky odor. Present in a variety of habitats, most common in areas near water.
- Ribbon Snake and Eastern Ribbon Snake - 18-40 inches body length. Dark olive, brown, reddish, or black body with three yellow or tan to bluish stripes down center of back and on each side. Found in wetland areas.
- Eastern Milk Snake - 23-35 inches body length. Vivid pattern of brown to tan to red bands. Y- or V- shaped marking on head. Common in a range of habitats.
- Eastern Worm Snake - 7-11 inches body length. Resembles a worm, flattened head and very small eyes. Uncommon and found only in Pine Barrens region. Any sightings of this animal should be reported to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, as they are a species of special concern.
- Northern Black Racer - 36-67 inches body lenth. Completely black except for a white chin and throat. Largest and fastest of our regional snakes.
- Smooth Green Snake - 11-19 inches body length. Green back and cream white belly. Uncommon, found in grassy fields
- Eastern Hognose Snake - 20-33 inches body length. Black, brown, olive, or orange body with pattern of black blotches. Tip of nose is upturned. This snake may play dead when it feels threatened. Uncommon, any sightings of this animal should be reported to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, as they are a species of special concern.
- Northern Ringneck Snake - 9-15 inches body length. Slate gray with golden ring behind head, belly is yellow to red. Present in a variety of habitats but not commonly seen.
- Redbelly Snake - 8-15 inches body length. Black to brown body with red belly and neck spots. Very rare, found only in moist, swampy habitats.
Special thanks to Dr. Russell L Burke for his help in constructing this page!