RIVER TALK

Summer snakes

BY SCOTT RANDO
Posted 7/26/22

With the arrival of summer comes the opportunity to see snakes, as well as other reptiles and amphibians. 

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
RIVER TALK

Summer snakes

Posted

With the arrival of summer comes the opportunity to see snakes, as well as other reptiles and amphibians. 

There are 20 or more species of snake that inhabit the region, but only two of these, the timber rattlesnake and the northern copperhead, are venomous. You might not have a single sighting unless you actively look for these species. 

Species such as eastern garter snakes and northern water snakes are usually seen several times a summer. Other species, such as smooth green snakes, can be hard to find.

Many species of snakes can have a similar appearance and are easy to misidentify. In addition, many individual species have varied color phases, and can range from having distinct patterns to having faded patterns or no patterns at all. Young snakes of various species usually have distinct patterning, whereas older snakes of the same species will usually appear darker with indistinct patterns

There are several species of snakes that frequently get misidentified as northern copperheads due to similarities in color or patterning. The images of this week’s column show some copperheads as well as a few of the usual suspects that sometimes get identified as copperheads.

snakes, outdoors, species

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here