Snakes of Massachusetts

Reality

In Massachusetts we have fourteen species of native snakes. Most of them, even as adults, are less than three feet long, and several are generally less than a foot in length. None of them are aggressive, although - like most animals - they will defend themselves if threatened, injured or captured. Even then, the defensive maneuvers of several species are nothing more offensive than releasing foul-smelling anal secretions. Other species attempt to frighten or intimidate potential enemies through bluff: flattening their heads, puffing up their bodies, rattling their tails or hissing. In self defense, some will indeed bite, but except in the case of our two extremely rare, venomous species, the resulting wounds are superficial. Our nonvenomous snakes all possess short, thin, very sharp teeth that leave clean, shallow wounds (rarely requiring even a bandage), and which - unlike the bites of mammals - carry no threat of disease. The important thing to remember is that unless you attempt to harm or capture a snake, it is almost impossible to get bitten. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning.

Reproduction

Picture of snake with eggs in a log Depending on the species, snakes may be egg-layers or give birth to live young. They generally mate in the spring, shortly after leaving whatever hollow, burrow or rock crevice has sheltered them through winter hibernation. Egg-layers usually deposit their clutches (groups of eggs) in dirt, beneath stones or logs, or in piles of decaying wood or vegetation during late spring or early summer. Most snakes hatch or are born in late summer. Whether deposited as eggs or dropped as fully formed miniature adults, snakes are on their own from the start. Our snakes do not take any responsibility for the care and protection of their young. Most snakes mature at one or two years of age, and individuals may live up to twenty years in the wild.

Habitat

Our native snakes occupy a wide range of habitats, including: fields, forests, wetlands, ponds, lakes, streams, rocky hillsides, farmland, vacant lots and residential neighborhoods. Within those habitats, snakes may travel along the ground, swim, climb trees and bushes, and venture below ground. Although some snakes do burrow, most "snake holes" are produced by chipmunks, mice, shrews and other small mammals. Many snakes utilize these burrows for food, shelter and egg laying sites, but most species don't dig holes.

"Cold-blooded"

Although it is said that snakes are "cold-blooded," it is more accurate to say that they are unable to regulate their body temperatures by generating heat. During the active season they are rarely cold and are surprisingly good at regulating their temperatures through behavior. Snakes can warm themselves by basking in the sun, lying under rocks or boards that are in the sun, or by lying on rocks and pavement that hold the heat after dark. When the air temperature is too hot, they seek shelter in small mammal burrows, under rocks and occasionally in cool cellars.

A Link in the Food Chain

Picture of snake eating mouse Snakes are important components of natural ecosystems. Common in many types of habitat, they affect the "balance of nature" as both predators and prey. All snakes are predators. Depending on size and species, they may feed on invertebrates such as slugs, worms and insects, or on fish, amphibians, snakes, birds, bird eggs and small mammals. Species such as the milk snake and black rat snake consume great numbers of rodents, and their presence around barns is of great benefit to farmers. In particular, the milk snake regularly enters burrows and will consume young mice and rats right in the nests. Garter,redbelly and brown snakes frequently consume garden pests such as slugs and certain soft-bodied insects.

Snakes find their prey by sight and scent, and sometimes temperature. Except for burrowing species, snakes have excellent short-range vision. Their sense of smell is extraordinary, thanks to a harmless, constantly flicking forked tongue that carries scent particles to a specialized sensory organ ('Jacobson's organ') on the roof of the mouth. Some species catch their prey by hunting it down, others through ambush, and, although it is not known for certain, most species probably scavenge dead prey as well. Some species kill their prey through venomous bites, others by constriction, still others by simply overpowering and then swallowing their prey. Lacking any chewing teeth, all snakes swallow their meals whole. Depending on the size of the meal and the temperature of their resting habitat, our native snakes may eat as often as several times a day or as rarely as once a month.

Snakes and their eggs are in turn eaten by fish, amphibians, other snakes, birds and predatory mammals such as skunks, raccoons and opossums. Birds are their most serious predators - and not just hawks and owls. Songbirds consume great numbers of small snakes and it is not unusual to see the tail of a young garter snake dangling from the overstuffed gullet of a nestling robin!

Common Snakes

While it is unlikely you will ever find a venomous snake in Massachusetts, odds are good that if you spend any time outdoors you will eventually encounter one or more species of harmless snakes. Five common snakes account for the majority of sightings in Massachusetts.

Undoubtedly, the most commonly encountered snake is the garter snake. This prolific, adaptable species thrives in suburban habitats and often utilizes the shelter provided by shrubbery, mulch, stonewalls and cracked masonry around houses. Active by day, it is often observed in the morning, warming itself on stairs and sidewalks exposed to the sun.

The milk snake makes use of many of the same habitats as the garter snake and will sometimes enter buildings in search of mice, its favored prey. Though quite common, its secretive nature and nocturnal habits make it less likely to be encountered than the garter snake. Occasionally, it can be seen sunning itself on spring and early summer mornings.

A small, common, secretive species, the ringneck snake is rarely found in the open. This inoffensive, pretty snake with the bright band around its neck is sometimes encountered in damp or dirt-floored basements that offer ample food in the form of salamanders and insects.

Frequently encountered by fishermen and boaters, the water snake is one of our most prolific species and can be found in virtually all pond, river and wetland habitats throughout the state. Water snakes are often reported by home-owners who find them in the spring as they disperse from hibernation sites. Though large individuals may look quite sinister with their triangular heads and heavy bodies, these stocky eaters of fish and frogs are harmless and should not be confused with the venomous cottonmouth "water moccasins" of the southeastern states.

The "blacksnake" or black racer is a long, slender "sight-hunter" known for its speed and agility. (Its top speed is actually only 3.6 miles per hour.) It is usually encountered in rural habitats of mixed brush, field and forest. Although this alert, inquisitive reptile often raises its head up to observe approaching people or other disturbances (and may even follow people for short distances to satisfy its curiosity) it quickly turns tail and flashes away at the slightest hint of danger.

"The Great Pretender"

Picture of Hognose snake flipped over on its back Though relatively rare, a chance encounter with a hognose snake is always memorable. This harmless "great pretender" puts on such a fearsome display when alarmed that it actually looks and sounds far more dangerous than either of our venomous snakes! Sometimes called the "puff adder," this habitual eater of toads will inflate its body, hiss loudly, lunge about ferociously and spread a surprising cobra-like hood. Despite this impressive appearance, it almost never bites.

If this incredible bluff fails to drive off the offender, the hognose will writhe about, vomit, roll over on its back and let its tongue loll out. In short, it puts on the appearance of a thoroughly dead snake. If turned upright, the snake will immediately roll on its back again. When the danger is past, however, the hognose will cautiously raise its head, turn over, and be off about its business.

Venomous Snakes

There are only two venomous snakes in Massachusetts - the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead. (Contrary to popular belief, there are no venomous "water moccasins" in the Bay State, only harmless water snakes.) Statewide, populations of our two endangered venomous snakes are believed to number no more than a few hundred individuals. Due to a host of problems, these populations are probably still declining despite rigorous efforts to protect them. Our "rattlers" are now known to exist at only a dozen or so widely scattered sites in mountainous regions of the state; the distribution of copperheads is even more restricted. As a result, most of Massachusetts is completely devoid of venomous serpents.

The chance of receiving a venomous snake bite is further reduced by the fact that both species are shy and reclusive. Like all snakes, they will bite people only in self defense. If you do not willfully seek out and attempt to confront these species, the chances of being bitten by either are negligible. The toxicity of their venoms tends to be highly overrated; only one person has ever died of snakebite in Massachusetts, and that was more than 200 years ago.

Always keep in mind that many harmless snakes resemble venomous snakes in pattern and behavior. Milk snakes, water snakes, hognose snakes and other banded or blotched species are frequently mistaken for copperheads. Milk snakes, black racers and black rat snakes are often misidentified as rattlesnakes because they vibrate their tails rapidly when alarmed. The overwhelming majority of reports of encounters with poisonous snakes in New England are nothing more than cases of mistaken identity.

Identification is the Key

Go to Identification Area

Snakes encountered around the home are almost certainly harmless and non-venomous. With just a little effort you can confirm this with an identification. It is a simple matter to learn to recognize our five common snakes at a glance. More secretive and rarer species can be easily identified through use of the identification guide. It is a curious fact that when we have the ability to put a name to something and understand its motivations, it tends to lose the power to frighten us.