Are There Snakes in Nashville?
Yes, snakes are common around Nashville. The city sits in Middle Tennessee's Cumberland River valley, where diverse snake species thrive in parks, forests, and waterways. You will most likely encounter them in natural areas like Radnor Lake and Percy Warner Park. Urban core sightings are rare, but snakes inhabit the broader metro area.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 23, 2026.
Northern Cottonmouth · Dominic CC BY
DeKay's Brownsnake · Jacob Weston CC BY
Ring-necked Snake · Dominic CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 4
- GBIF records
- May, April, June
- peak months
Snakes are rare in Tennessee, so you might also want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
31 types of snakes recorded in Tennessee
31 snake species have a verified observation record in Tennessee across snakes (suborder Serpentes), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Also recorded in Tennessee
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Eastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulum | Lampropeltis triangulum | 702 |
| 14 | Smooth EarthsnakeVirginia valeriae | Virginia valeriae | 518 |
| 15 | QueensnakeRegina septemvittata | Regina septemvittata | 502 |
| 16 | Plain-bellied WatersnakeNerodia erythrogaster | Nerodia erythrogaster | 459 |
| 17 | Red-bellied SnakeStoreria occipitomaculata | Storeria occipitomaculata | 312 |
| 18 | Red CornsnakePantherophis guttatus | Pantherophis guttatus | 311 |
| 19 | Diamondback WatersnakeNerodia rhombifer | Nerodia rhombifer | 172 |
| 20 | Southeastern Crowned SnakeTantilla coronata | Tantilla coronata | 148 |
| 21 | Eastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platirhinos | Heterodon platirhinos | 113 |
| 22 | Western Ribbon SnakeThamnophis proximus | Thamnophis proximus | 113 |
| 23 | Banded WatersnakeNerodia fasciata | Nerodia fasciata | 92 |
| 24 | Common Ribbon SnakeThamnophis saurita | Thamnophis saurita | 90 |
| 25 | Prairie KingsnakeLampropeltis calligaster | Lampropeltis calligaster | 65 |
| 26 | Rough EarthsnakeVirginia striatula | Virginia striatula | 46 |
| 27 | MudsnakeFarancia abacura | Farancia abacura | 31 |
| 28 | Mole KingsnakeLampropeltis rhombomaculata | Lampropeltis rhombomaculata | 27 |
| 29 | Speckled KingsnakeLampropeltis holbrooki | Lampropeltis holbrooki | 20 |
| 30 | ScarletsnakeCemophora coccinea | Cemophora coccinea | 14 |
| 31 | Pine SnakePituophis melanoleucus | Pituophis melanoleucus | 10 |
Plus 3 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
26,339 verified observations on iNaturalist of snake have been recorded in Tennessee, most often in May, April, June.
When snake are recorded in Tennessee
Yes, snakes are common around Nashville. The city sits in Middle Tennessee's Cumberland River valley, where diverse snake species thrive in parks, forests, and waterways. You will most likely encounter them in natural areas like Radnor Lake and Percy Warner Park. Urban core sightings are rare, but snakes inhabit the broader metro area.
Where Snakes Are Found in Nashville
Snakes inhabit various habitats throughout Nashville and its metro area. The Cumberland River, which flows through downtown Nashville, provides excellent habitat for water snakes and garter snakes. Natural areas like Radnor Lake State Park, located south of the city, harbor multiple species in its forests and shoreline. Percy Warner Park in the Green Hills area offers wooded terrain where snakes thrive. Edwin Warner Park and the nearby J. Percy Priest Reservoir further east support diverse populations. In the metro, Shelby Park and the Hadley Park complex on the city's north side contain suitable snake habitat. The Sulphur Fork and Stone's River tributaries also attract snakes. Beyond the urban core, the broader Nashville metro area extending into Williamson County near Franklin and Rutherford County near Murfreesboro provides additional habitat. Even in residential neighborhoods like East Nashville and the Gulch, garden areas and green spaces occasionally host snakes passing through. Consult thestatewide snake guidefor detailed habitat information.
When Snakes Are Most Active Around Nashville
Snakes are most active in Nashville during spring, summer, and fall when temperatures warm. The activity season typically runs from April through October, with peak activity from June to September when snakes hunt, feed, and reproduce. During winter months, snakes become dormant in dens, under logs, or in the soil, and encounters become rare. March and April mark the emergence period when snakes leave winter shelter and begin moving in search of food. Late fall, especially October and November, sees a second period of activity as snakes seek shelter before hibernation. Wet springs and early summers increase snake visibility as they move across wet ground and into flooded areas near the Cumberland River and Radnor Lake. Warm rain nights in particular bring snakes out to hunt. Early morning and late evening hours offer the best viewing opportunities if you are looking for snakes during hiking at places like Percy Warner Park or the trails around Edwin Warner Park. For regional activity patterns, see theTennessee wildlife guide.
How to Identify a Snake
Most snakes found around Nashville measure between 2 and 5 feet long, though some species reach up to 8 feet. Garter snakes are thin with three pale stripes running the length of their body. Water snakes are thicker-bodied with dark crossbands and are found near water. Rat snakes are smooth and gray or brown, often mistaken for dangerous species but completely harmless. Copperheads, if encountered, have a distinctive hourglass pattern and reddish-brown coloring. Timber rattlesnakes, rare in urban Nashville, have dark bands and a rattle at the tail tip. Most snakes have keeled scales giving them a somewhat rough texture. You can identify snakes by their head shape, body patterns, and where you find them. Head shape helps distinguish venomous from non-venomous species, though most snakes in the Nashville area are not dangerous. Female snakes are typically larger than males. Juvenile snakes resemble adults in pattern and color, just smaller in size.
Where Snake Sightings Concentrate Near Nashville
Sightings concentrate in areas with good snake habitat near Nashville. Radnor Lake State Park south of the city and its surrounding forests see regular snake activity year-round. The wooded trails at Percy Warner Park in the Green Hills neighborhood are known for occasional snake encounters, especially along forest edges and stream banks. Along the Cumberland River, particularly near the Shelby Park area and downtown waterfront, water snakes are common. J. Percy Priest Reservoir to the east attracts water snakes and aquatic species. Edwin Warner Park's forest trails provide habitat for multiple species. Residents in neighborhoods bordering natural areas, like parts of Green Hills and areas near Hadley Park, report more frequent sightings than those in dense downtown areas. Stream corridors like those along Sulphur Fork attract snakes during hunting season. Open field margins and meadow edges around the metro, including areas in Franklin and Murfreesboro suburbs, see seasonal snake movement. Urban parks with vegetation and water features occasionally host snakes passing through, and visitors to these areas should check thecomprehensive wildlife resourcefor all species in the region.
Snake Behavior and Habits
Snakes around Nashville are generally shy and avoid humans. Most species eat small animals like rodents, frogs, insects, and other snakes. Garter snakes hunt small lizards and frogs in wet areas. Water snakes feed on fish and amphibians in ponds and streams. Rat snakes climb trees to raid bird nests and hunt rodents in barns and gardens. Snakes are mostly solitary and come together primarily during mating season in spring and fall. They move through habitat hunting for food and seeking shelter. Snakes shed their skin several times per year as they grow, leaving translucent skin behind in grass or under logs. Many snakes are active during daylight, while others are most active at night. Snakes regulate body temperature by basking in sun or seeking shade. They use camouflage to hide from both predators and prey. Most snakes do not show aggression unless directly threatened or accidentally stepped on. Female snakes lay eggs or bear live young depending on the species, typically in summer months.
Safety and Coexistence with Snakes
Snakes are not aggressive toward humans and prefer to avoid contact. If you encounter a snake in Nashville, simply give it space and let it move away. Snakes will flee when they sense vibrations from your footsteps. Most bites occur when people try to handle or kill snakes, so never attempt either. The venomous species in Tennessee are copperheads and timber rattlesnakes, both rare in urban Nashville. If bitten by any snake, seek immediate medical attention. Around your property, reduce snake attraction by removing rodent food sources, clearing brush piles, and sealing holes near your home. Snakes in gardens are actually beneficial as they eat rodents that damage plants. Keep grass mowed and remove potential shelter like sheet metal or wood piles. Never use pesticides to kill snakes. Tennessee protects snakes by law, and harming them unnecessarily is illegal. Children should be taught to observe snakes from a distance and never attempt to catch them. Pets, especially cats and small dogs, should be supervised outdoors. Learn more about all regional wildlife in thewildlife hub.
Species Commonly Confused with Snakes
Many snakes around Nashville look similar to each other, causing confusion. Garter snakes and water snakes are often confused because both have stripes or patterns. Garter snakes have three pale stripes, while water snakes have crossbands. Black rat snakes and black racers can look nearly identical, though racers are faster and more aggressive if encountered. The non-venomous rat snake is frequently mistaken for a copperhead due to coloring. Copperheads have a distinctive hourglass pattern on the body that rat snakes lack. Brown snakes and earth snakes are small and secretive, easily mistaken for juvenile versions of larger species. Ringneck snakes have a yellow or orange ring around the neck that distinguishes them. Smooth green snakes are bright green and unlikely to be confused with other species. Hognose snakes have an upturned snout and can look threatening but are harmless. Some people confuse nonvenomous species with copperheads or rattlesnakes simply from fear. Field guides and wildlife resources from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency help with accurate identification. Thestatewide snake guideincludes images of all common species.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snakes
Are snakes dangerous in Nashville? Most snakes around Nashville are completely harmless and will avoid human contact. Only copperheads and timber rattlesnakes are venomous in the region, and they are quite rare in the city proper, preferring remote natural areas. If I see a snake, should I call animal control? No, simply give the snake respectful space to leave on its own. Animal control is not necessary for snakes in most cases, as they will naturally move away from people. Where should I look if I want to see snakes around Nashville? Visit Radnor Lake State Park or Percy Warner Park during warm months, particularly near water features and forest edges where snakes hunt. Early morning and late evening in summer offer the best viewing opportunities. What should I do if a snake enters my home? Open doors and windows to allow the snake to leave naturally. Place a broom across the doorway to gently encourage it to exit. If you remain uncomfortable, contact a local wildlife removal service.
Gear and field guides
Plan your trip
Best time to see snake in Tennessee: May, April, June
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your snake sighting in Tennessee
4 verified snake records have been logged in Tennessee. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Tennessee
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Natchez Trace Parkway · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Obed Wild & Scenic River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Keep exploring
More places to see snake
More wildlife in Tennessee