Snakes in North Carolina in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in North Carolina. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 19,608 of the 95,475 sightings logged across the year (20.5%), 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 North Carolina
20.5%
of yearly sightings
19,608
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
95,475
verified records a year
April 17.3%, May 20.5%, June 13.4%. Busiest month is May at 20.5%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 740 | 0.8% |
| February | 1,458 | 1.5% |
| March | 7,249 | 7.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 16,492 | 17.3% |
| Maypeak | 19,608 | 20.5% |
| Junepeak | 12,830 | 13.4% |
| July | 8,243 | 8.6% |
| August | 8,229 | 8.6% |
| September | 9,127 | 9.6% |
| October | 7,436 | 7.8% |
| November | 3,092 | 3.2% |
| December | 971 | 1% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Anole | 16,680 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 7,690 |
| Common Watersnake | 7,290 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 6,384 |
| Eastern Ratsnake | 5,154 |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | 4,576 |
| Eastern Copperhead | 4,368 |
| Common Garter Snake | 3,969 |
In North Carolina, May carries 20.5% of the year's snakes sightings, about 12.2 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 (17.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (13.4%) 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 North Carolina are Green Anole, Common Five-lined Skink and Common Watersnake. 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
- 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 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.
GetYourGuide
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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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best snake viewing area in North Carolina.
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Broader backupBook a snake tour in North Carolina
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 North Carolina in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 19,608 of the 95,475 verified snakes sightings logged in North Carolina across the year, which is 20.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in North Carolina?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and June.
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.
See snakes in North Carolina in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in North Carolina