Snakes in Massachusetts in August
Yes, August is a good month to see snakes in Massachusetts. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 1,932 of the 19,147 sightings logged across the year (10.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for snakes in Massachusetts
10.1%
of yearly sightings
1,932
records in August
#5
busiest month of 12
19,147
verified records a year
July 10%, August 10.1%, September 10.7%. Busiest month is May at 23.3%.
19,147 verified observations of snakes in Massachusetts, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Massachusetts
Peak month
May
4,467 records (23.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25 | 0.1% |
| February | 28 | 0.1% |
| March | 596 | 3.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,670 | 13.9% |
| Maypeak | 4,467 | 23.3% |
| Junepeak | 3,500 | 18.3% |
| July | 1,912 | 10% |
| August | 1,932 | 10.1% |
| September | 2,048 | 10.7% |
| October | 1,585 | 8.3% |
| November | 332 | 1.7% |
| December | 52 | 0.3% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 9,768 |
| Common Watersnake | 3,877 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 1,872 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 847 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 819 |
| North American Racer | 624 |
| Common Ribbon Snake | 422 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 208 |
In Massachusetts, August carries 10.1% of the year's snakes sightings, about 1.8 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 July and August, and it heads toward September (10.7%) after. The busiest month is May (23.3%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The snakes most often recorded in Massachusetts are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Milksnake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Common Garter Snake9,768 records
- Common Watersnake3,877 records
- Eastern Milksnake1,872 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake847 records
- Ring-necked Snake819 records
- North American Racer624 records
Plan your snake trip in Massachusetts
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Massachusetts in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 1,932 of the 19,147 verified snakes sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 10.1% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see snakes in Massachusetts?+
August is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for snakes in Massachusetts?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 19,147 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Massachusetts?+
The most-recorded species in Massachusetts are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Milksnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Massachusetts in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Massachusetts