Snakes in Pennsylvania in August

Yes, August is a good month to see snakes in Pennsylvania. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 3,242 of the 33,428 sightings logged across the year (9.7%), 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.

Eastern Copperhead photographed in PennsylvaniaEastern Copperhead photographed in PennsylvaniaEastern Garter Snake photographed in Pennsylvania
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for snakes in Pennsylvania

9.7%

of yearly sightings

3,242

records in August

#6

busiest month of 12

33,428

verified records a year

July 11.5%, August 9.7%, September 10.3%. Busiest month is May at 22.4%.

Best months: May, June, April

33,428 verified observations of snakes in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Pennsylvania

Peak month

May

7,493 records (22.4% of the year)

Quietest month

January

94 records

MonthObservationsShare
January940.3%
February1110.3%
March1,0863.2%
Aprilpeak4,33913%
Maypeak7,49322.4%
Junepeak7,17421.5%
July3,85111.5%
August3,2429.7%
September3,43010.3%
October2,0316.1%
November4451.3%
December1320.4%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Garter Snake10,751
Common Watersnake4,926
DeKay's Brownsnake2,655
Timber Rattlesnake2,459
Gray Ratsnake2,196
Ring-necked Snake2,141
Eastern Milksnake1,933
Eastern Ratsnake873

In Pennsylvania, August carries 9.7% of the year's snakes sightings, about 1.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from July (11.5%) into August, and it heads toward September (10.3%) after. The busiest month is May (22.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The snakes most often recorded in Pennsylvania are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and DeKay's Brownsnake. 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 Snake10,751 records
  • Common Watersnake4,926 records
  • DeKay's Brownsnake2,655 records
  • Timber Rattlesnake2,459 records
  • Gray Ratsnake2,196 records
  • Ring-necked Snake2,141 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your snake trip in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania in August?+

Yes. August accounts for 3,242 of the 33,428 verified snakes sightings logged in Pennsylvania across the year, which is 9.7% of the annual total.

Is August a good time to see snakes in Pennsylvania?+

August is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for snakes in Pennsylvania?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 33,428 verified observations.

Which snakes are you most likely to see in Pennsylvania?+

The most-recorded species in Pennsylvania are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and DeKay's Brownsnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.