Snakes in North Carolina in July

Yes, July is a good month to see snakes in North Carolina. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 8,243 of the 95,475 sightings logged across the year (8.6%), 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.

Green Anole photographed in North CarolinaCarolina Pygmy Rattlesnake photographed in North CarolinaCommon Wormsnake photographed in North Carolina
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in North Carolina

8.6%

of yearly sightings

8,243

records in July

#5

busiest month of 12

95,475

verified records a year

June 13.4%, July 8.6%, August 8.6%. Busiest month is May at 20.5%.

Best months: May, April, June

95,475 verified observations of snakes in North Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in North Carolina

Peak month

May

19,608 records (20.5% of the year)

Quietest month

January

740 records

MonthObservationsShare
January7400.8%
February1,4581.5%
March7,2497.6%
Aprilpeak16,49217.3%
Maypeak19,60820.5%
Junepeak12,83013.4%
July8,2438.6%
August8,2298.6%
September9,1279.6%
October7,4367.8%
November3,0923.2%
December9711%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Green Anole16,680
Common Five-lined Skink7,690
Common Watersnake7,290
DeKay's Brownsnake6,384
Eastern Ratsnake5,154
Eastern Fence Lizard4,576
Eastern Copperhead4,368
Common Garter Snake3,969

In North Carolina, July carries 8.6% of the year's snakes sightings, about 0.3 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 is easing off from June (13.4%) into July, and it heads toward August (8.6%) after. The busiest month is May (20.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

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

Which snakes you are most likely to see

  • Green Anole16,680 records
  • Common Five-lined Skink7,690 records
  • Common Watersnake7,290 records
  • DeKay's Brownsnake6,384 records
  • Eastern Ratsnake5,154 records
  • Eastern Fence Lizard4,576 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your snake trip in North Carolina

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.

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

Can you see snakes in North Carolina in July?+

Yes. July accounts for 8,243 of the 95,475 verified snakes sightings logged in North Carolina across the year, which is 8.6% of the annual total.

Is July a good time to see snakes in North Carolina?+

July 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 North Carolina?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 95,475 verified observations.

Which snakes are you most likely to see in North Carolina?+

The most-recorded species in North Carolina are Green Anole, Common Five-lined Skink and Common Watersnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.