Snakes in New Jersey in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in New Jersey. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 3,944 of the 16,061 sightings logged across the year (24.6%), 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 New Jersey
24.6%
of yearly sightings
3,944
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
16,061
verified records a year
April 15.1%, May 24.6%, June 16.6%. Busiest month is May at 24.6%.
16,061 verified observations of snakes in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
May
3,944 records (24.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 58 | 0.4% |
| February | 75 | 0.5% |
| March | 772 | 4.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,419 | 15.1% |
| Maypeak | 3,944 | 24.6% |
| Junepeak | 2,666 | 16.6% |
| July | 1,351 | 8.4% |
| August | 1,506 | 9.4% |
| September | 1,591 | 9.9% |
| October | 1,270 | 7.9% |
| November | 333 | 2.1% |
| December | 76 | 0.5% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 4,085 |
| Common Watersnake | 2,744 |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | 1,549 |
| Eastern Ratsnake | 1,153 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 931 |
| North American Racer | 772 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 764 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 509 |
In New Jersey, May carries 24.6% of the year's snakes sightings, about 16.3 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 (15.1%) into May, and it heads toward June (16.6%) 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 New Jersey are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Fence Lizard. 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 Snake4,085 records
- Common Watersnake2,744 records
- Eastern Fence Lizard1,549 records
- Eastern Ratsnake1,153 records
- Common Five-lined Skink931 records
- North American Racer772 records
Plan your snake trip in New Jersey
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 New Jersey in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,944 of the 16,061 verified snakes sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 24.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in New Jersey?+
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 New Jersey?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 16,061 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and Eastern Fence Lizard, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in New Jersey in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in New Jersey