What are the 3 venomous snakes in PA?
What are the 3 venomous snakes in PA?
The three species of venomous snakes in Pennsylvania are the timber rattlesnake, eastern massasauga and copperhead.
What does a garter snake look like in Pennsylvania?
Eastern garter snake It is found in nearly all habitats, from forests and talus slopes to backyards everywhere, but usually near water. The adult is 20-28 inches in length. Green to dark brown with stripes and spots between them on the upper body. The belly is white or cream with two rows of black and/or red spots.
How many different kinds of snakes are in Pennsylvania?
21 species
There are 21 species of snakes found in Pennsylvania and three of them — timber rattlesnakes, copperhead and the eastern massasauga — are venomous. The massasauga are only found in Venango, Butler and Mercer counties in Pennsylvania.
What does a black snake in Pennsylvania look like?
Often referred to as a “black rat snake,” this snake is the largest species of snake found in Pennsylvania. Adult eastern rat snakes are black or dull brown with dark blotches. The skin between its scales may be bluish white, yellow or orange. They have a white chin and throat.
Where are Copperheads found in PA?
The Copperhead inhabits the lower two-thirds of Pennsylvania. Its range generally follows the southern limits of huge glaciers that eons ago scraped and ground their way into the northern hemisphere. Its range extends somewhat southwesterly through the Carolinas into Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and southern Illinois.
What is the most deadliest snake in Pennsylvania?
Timber Rattlesnakes
Timber Rattlesnakes strike their prey and release them, waiting until the venom has taken effect before eating them. These venomous snakes are potentially the most dangerous species found in Pennsylvania due to their large size, long fangs, and high yield of venom.
What does a Pennsylvania copperhead snake look like?
“Medium-sized, heavy bodied species. The background is pinkish brown, light tan to greyish brown with wide brown to reddish brown bands that become darker towards the margin. The bands are saddle shaped (hourglass) that are broader along the sides and become narrower across the dorsum.
How do I identify a snake?
To identify venomous snakes, look for characteristics such as a rattling tail, elliptical eyes, and a triangular head. Identify non-venomous snakes by their body color, double belly scales, and round eyes. You can also use reference resources to help you identify snakes.
How do I keep snakes out of my yard?
So what does actually work?
- Remove shelter like piles of rubble, building materials and rock walls;
- Keep grass short;
- Create a clearing around the house;
- Plant native trees that attract snake-eating birds like kookaburras;
- Get rid of rodents;
- Remove water sources like ponds and bromeliads;
What time of year are Copperheads most active?
Copperheads are most active from the late afternoon into the evening, and prefer cooler areas to hide. They hibernate in the winter, and emerge in the spring for mating season. Their diet consists of small rodents and other pests, so if you have a rodent problem, your property can likely attract these serpents.
Do copperhead snakes swim?
But copperheads, like northern water snakes, swim and can be found near water across the region. So, if a snake is not easily identifiable as a non-venomous water snake, it is best to beware. Northern water snakes can grow up to three feet long, and females are larger than males.
How do you tell if a snake is a copperhead?
Copperheads have muscular, thick bodies and keeled (ridged) scales. Their heads are “somewhat triangular/arrow-shaped and distinct from the neck,” with a “somewhat distinct ridge separating [the] top of head from side snout between eye and nostril,” said Beane.
What snakes are in PA?
Try to get a look at the snake’s eyes and check the pupil shape. If the pupils are slits, then the snake is one of Pennsylvania’s three species of venomous snake: the timber rattlesnake, the northern copperhead or the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.
What are the poisonous snakes in PA?
There are few venomous snakes in Pennsylvania. The only ones I can really think of are the Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, and Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. The most common is the Copperhead.
What is the most poisonous snake in Pennsylvania?
Northern Copperhead – this is most common venomous snake in Pennsylvania. It lives at far north of the state, in secluded rocky area, in rock walls and foundations of abandoned buildings. Timber Rattlesnake- this is the biggest Pennsylvania venomous snakes.
What types of snakes are found in Pennsylvania?
The timber rattlesnake (Croatus horridus) is the largest of the three species of venomous snakes found in Pennsylvania (the other two venomous species are the northern copperhead and the endangered Massasauga rattlesnake ).
