Snakes in Delaware in September

Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Delaware. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 403 of the 4,470 sightings logged across the year (9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.

Eastern Ratsnake photographed in DelawareEastern Garter Snake photographed in DelawareNorth American Racer photographed in Delaware
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in Delaware

9%

of yearly sightings

403

records in September

#5

busiest month of 12

4,470

verified records a year

August 9.6%, September 9%, October 8.1%. Busiest month is May at 24%.

Best months: May, April, June

4,470 verified observations of snakes in Delaware, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Delaware

Peak month

May

1,075 records (24% of the year)

Quietest month

January

11 records

MonthObservationsShare
January110.2%
February441%
March2555.7%
Aprilpeak71316%
Maypeak1,07524%
Junepeak69715.6%
July3638.1%
August4289.6%
September4039%
October3648.1%
November851.9%
December320.7%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Garter Snake908
Common Watersnake773
Common Five-lined Skink581
Eastern Fence Lizard355
Eastern Ratsnake303
DeKay's Brownsnake295
North American Racer257
Ring-necked Snake119

In Delaware, September carries 9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (8.1%) after. The busiest month is May (24%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The snakes most often recorded in Delaware are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Common Five-lined Skink. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.

Which snakes you are most likely to see

  • Common Garter Snake908 records
  • Common Watersnake773 records
  • Common Five-lined Skink581 records
  • Eastern Fence Lizard355 records
  • Eastern Ratsnake303 records
  • DeKay's Brownsnake295 records
Plan your tripCaptain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Plan your snake trip in Delaware

Start with live tours near Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in Delaware in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 403 of the 4,470 verified snakes sightings logged in Delaware across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see snakes in Delaware?+

September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for snakes in Delaware?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 4,470 verified observations.

Which snakes are you most likely to see in Delaware?+

The most-recorded species in Delaware are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Common Five-lined Skink, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.