Snakes in Delaware

Delaware has about 18 native snake species, and only 1 of them is venomous. That means nearly every snake you encounter in the First State is harmless and no threat to people. As a small, low-lying coastal-plain state, Delaware's snakes are largely wetland and woodland animals, and the ones you are most likely to meet are shy, non-venomous species that quickly retreat from a person.

Delaware's snake diversity is shaped by its flat coastal-plain geography and abundant water. Tidal marshes, freshwater swamps, slow rivers, pine and hardwood woods, and old farm fields all provide habitat. The warmer, wetter southern part of the state supports a slightly richer mix than the north, and snakes here favor sunny edges of wetlands, brush piles, and field margins where they can bask and hunt frogs, small mammals, and insects.

The single venomous species recorded in Delaware is the Eastern Copperhead. It favors wooded, rocky hillsides and forest edges, mainly in the rolling northern part of the state where higher, drier ground occurs. It is uncommon, well camouflaged, and secretive, going out of its way to avoid people. There is no cottonmouth in Delaware, so watersnakes seen near the marshes are harmless despite sometimes being mistaken for it.

Most snakes people see in Delaware are harmless: common garter snakes in gardens and parks, the eastern ratsnake (black rat snake) in woods and barns, eastern milk snakes in fields and basements, northern watersnakes along ponds and marshes (often mistaken for copperheads or cottonmouths), DeKay's brownsnake in damp cover, and ring-necked snakes under logs. Snakebites are very rare in Delaware and almost always come from handling a snake. Never assume a wild snake is safe to handle. If a bite occurs, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911.