Snakes in Maine in May

Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Maine. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 1,147 of the 7,093 sightings logged across the year (16.2%), 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.

Smooth Greensnake photographed in MaineSmooth Greensnake photographed in MaineCommon Garter Snake photographed in Maine
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for snakes in Maine

16.2%

of yearly sightings

1,147

records in May

#3

busiest month of 12

7,093

verified records a year

April 5.3%, May 16.2%, June 20.9%. Busiest month is June at 20.9%.

Best months: June, July, MayPeak season right now

7,093 verified observations of snakes in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Maine

Peak month

June

1,479 records (20.9% of the year)

Quietest month

January

2 records

MonthObservationsShare
January20%
February20%
March270.4%
April3795.3%
Maypeak1,14716.2%
Junepeak1,47920.9%
Julypeak1,31018.5%
August1,10215.5%
September97913.8%
October6038.5%
November590.8%
December40.1%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Garter Snake3,929
Red-bellied Snake987
Eastern Milksnake616
Ring-necked Snake444
Smooth Greensnake424
Common Watersnake325
DeKay's Brownsnake258
Common Ribbon Snake73

In Maine, May carries 16.2% of the year's snakes sightings, about 7.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from April (5.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

The snakes most often recorded in Maine are Common Garter Snake, Red-bellied Snake and Eastern Milksnake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.

Which snakes you are most likely to see

  • Common Garter Snake3,929 records
  • Red-bellied Snake987 records
  • Eastern Milksnake616 records
  • Ring-necked Snake444 records
  • Smooth Greensnake424 records
  • Common Watersnake325 records
Plan your tripAcadia National Park

Plan your snake trip in Maine

Start with live tours near Acadia National Park, 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 Maine in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 1,147 of the 7,093 verified snakes sightings logged in Maine across the year, which is 16.2% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see snakes in Maine?+

May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.

What month is best for snakes in Maine?+

June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 7,093 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in Maine are Common Garter Snake, Red-bellied Snake and Eastern Milksnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.