Snakes in Massachusetts in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Massachusetts. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 4,467 of the 19,147 sightings logged across the year (23.3%), 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.
Peak month for snakes in Massachusetts
23.3%
of yearly sightings
4,467
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
19,147
verified records a year
April 13.9%, May 23.3%, June 18.3%. 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, May carries 23.3% of the year's snakes sightings, about 15 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (13.9%) into May, and it heads toward June (18.3%) 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 Massachusetts are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake 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 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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Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Massachusetts in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 4,467 of the 19,147 verified snakes sightings logged in Massachusetts across the year, which is 23.3% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Massachusetts?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
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