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Types of snakes and identification

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Types of snakes Snake control

It is rare to see snakes in the U.S. but there are some signs of snakes that you can look out for if you are concerned they might be venomous. These signs can include shed snake skins, unusual tracks in dusty areas, or strange noises in hidden corners. For information about how to deal with snake problems, see our snake pest control page.

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Common snakes in the U.S.

Many snake species are found across the country, ranging from relatively harmless garter snakes to highly venomous snakes like pit vipers. Below, we look at some of the common snakes in the U.S., their appearance, behaviors, and where you’re most likely to see them. 

copperhead snake control

Copperhead snake

(Agkistrodon contortrix)

Appearance 

  • Adults are 24-36 inches long.
  • Newborns are around 8 inches long.
  • Chestnut with dark brown/greenish bands.
  • Coppery colored head and neck.
  • Thick, heavy bodies.
  • Newborns have a bright yellow tip to their tail, approximately the last inch.

Life cycle

  • Breed from spring to fall, but not every year.
  • Give birth from late summer to early fall.
  • Produce typically 4-7 snakes, but can be anything from 1 to 20.
  • Hibernates mid-fall, reappears in early spring.

Habits

  • Feeding - Small rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, amphibians, and insects.
  • Location - rocky areas with thick underbrush, vines, vegetation, and/or debris, even in heavily populated regions. It can be unnoticed when lying on dead leaves or red clay. In suburban areas, they hide in stone walls, compost piles, under decaying stumps, abandoned building debris, and flat stones.
  • Visibility – Can be seen during the day but in the heat of summer will stay hidden during the day and only be active at night.
common garter snake control

Common garter snake

(Thamnophis sirtalis)

There are several recognized subspecies, with the eastern gartersnake more common in the eastern U.S.

Appearance

  • Roughly 18-54 inches long.
  • Color varies - can be olive, black, grey, or brown
  • Often has three light-colored stripes on the back. 
  • Head wider than neck 
  • Females are typically larger than males 
  • Males typically have longer tails than females

Life cycle

  • Garter snakes will begin to reproduce as soon as they emerge from hibernation. 
  • Most female snakes give birth between August and October
  • Gestation period is roughly 2-3 months. 
  • In the wild, the average garter snake lives for about two years.

Habits

  • Primarily active during daylight
  • Can survive in many different temperatures 
  • Often spotted near water sources like streams or ponds.
  • Diet includes worms, small amphibians, and insects.

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eastern diamondback rattlesnake control

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

(Crotalus adamanteus)

Appearance

  • The largest rattlesnake and the heaviest venomous snake in the Americas.
  • Average adult size is 36-72 inches, but it has been reported to be as big as 96 inches.
  • Body is a brown/yellow color with dark brown/black diamonds outlined by yellowish scales.
  • Tail is a brownish or grey color, ending in a rattle.
  • Head has a dark stripe that runs diagonally through the eye.

Life cycle

  • They mate in late summer and fall.
  • Females usually give birth about a dozen young in their shelters.
  • Young are born approx 12-14 inches long, with markings similar to adults except they have a button at the end of the tail in place of the rattle.
  • The young only stay with the mother for a couple of days before they go off to hunt for themselves and find their own shelter. This means that their mortality rate is fairly high.
  • They can live to over 20 years.

Habits

  • They favor dry pine forests, sand pine scrub areas and coastal barrier islands as well as wet prairies during dry periods.
  • Often inhabit gopher tortoise burrows as their shelters.
  • They are strong swimmers and have been seen crossing water between islands and mainland.
  • They feed on small mammals including mice, birds and rabbits.
rattlesnake pest control

Rattlesnakes

Genus: Crotalus and Sistrurus (More than 50 different species)

Appearance

  • Two enlarged venom fangs fixed to the front of the mouth.
  • Solid teeth in both jaws.
  • Different species of rattlesnake vary significantly in size and markings.
  • Larger species can be as long as 8 feet.
  • Common feature is the ‘rattle’ on the end of their tails.
  • Rattlesnakes shed their skin several times a year and each time they shed a new segment is added to their ‘rattle.’

Life cycle

  • Rattlesnakes give live birth rather than lay eggs
  • Young rattlesnakes are independent and self-sufficient from birth.
  • Most rattlesnakes mate in the spring.
  • Newborn rattlesnakes do not have ‘working rattles’.  It is only after their first skin shedding that their rattles function.

Habits

  • Typically live in dry savannah and rocky outcrops.
  • Rattlesnakes will, generally, move away from humans they encounter – but not always. Generally they only attack if cornered or provoked.
  • Diet consists largely of small animals such as rabbits, rats, mice etc.,
  • Rattlesnakes kill their prey by injecting them with venom rather than constricting them.
  • Unusually, these snakes can strike without pulling themselves into the ‘S’ shape that most snakes do.  They also attack as far as two-thirds of their length away from them.
  • Rattlesnakes are often found in and under boulders and logs as well as sunning themselves in the middle of trails.
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water moccasin control

Water Moccasin

(Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Appearance

  • Roughly 2 ft. 8" long.
  • Thick body, dark olive or black back, paler belly
  • Body has crossbands with a distinct border extending all the way around and across the stomach.
  • Triangular head with slit-shaped pupils and fangs.
  • Has a white lining in its mouth, hence often called a ‘cottonmouth'.

Life cycle

  • Breed in spring and fall.
  • Gestation period can be 3-4 months
  • Produce a litter of up to 12 young.
  • Hibernate over winter along hillsides above streams.

Habits 

  • Location - Water moccasins are semi-aquatic. Spend most of their time close to permanent water sources.
  • Visibility - Primarily active at night, but they bask in the sun during the day, often on branches overhanging the water.
  • Feeding - fish, frogs, lizards, birds, small mammals, and other snakes.

Snake habitats and behaviours

Different snake species live in many habitats across the U.S. They thrive in forests, wetlands, deserts, and coastal areas. Each reptile adapts to its environment in its own way. Some, like the northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), prefer freshwater environments. Others, like the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), live in remote, wooded hills.

Snake habitats and behaviours vary based on climate, prey availability, and the time of year. Many snakes hibernate through colder months and become active in spring. Some snakes, like rat snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), climb trees to hunt for eggs or baby birds. On the other hand, sea snakes spend most of their lives underwater. Most snakes, like the Dekay’s brownsnake (Storeria dekayi), are shy. They usually stay away from people.

Colubrid snakes are usually harmless. However, pit vipers, like copperheads, rattlesnakes, and water moccasins, can be dangerous.

Dealing with a snake infestation

Finding a snake on your property can be unsettling. Whether it’s a single garter snake or signs of a more venomous species, it’s important to take the right steps. First, try to identify the snake species from a safe distance. If you notice repeated sightings, like tracks or shed skin, these could be signs of a snake infestation on your property.

Food sources like small mammals, eggs, and other reptiles attract snakes. Removing these attractants can help reduce activity, but it may not be enough. It’s best to call in the professionals for long-term results and to stay protected.

At Ehrlich, our pest control services are designed to help identify, remove, and prevent snake problems. Whether you need support with a one-time visit or ongoing commercial pest control, we’re here to help you stay protected.

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Snake problem?

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Signs of snakes