Snakes in Pennsylvania in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Pennsylvania. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 7,493 of the 33,428 sightings logged across the year (22.4%), 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 Pennsylvania
22.4%
of yearly sightings
7,493
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
33,428
verified records a year
April 13%, May 22.4%, June 21.5%. Busiest month is May at 22.4%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 94 | 0.3% |
| February | 111 | 0.3% |
| March | 1,086 | 3.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 4,339 | 13% |
| Maypeak | 7,493 | 22.4% |
| Junepeak | 7,174 | 21.5% |
| July | 3,851 | 11.5% |
| August | 3,242 | 9.7% |
| September | 3,430 | 10.3% |
| October | 2,031 | 6.1% |
| November | 445 | 1.3% |
| December | 132 | 0.4% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 10,751 |
| Common Watersnake | 4,926 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 2,655 |
| Timber Rattlesnake | 2,459 |
| Gray Ratsnake | 2,196 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 2,141 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 1,933 |
| Eastern Ratsnake | 873 |
In Pennsylvania, May carries 22.4% of the year's snakes sightings, about 14.1 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%) into May, and it heads toward June (21.5%) 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 Pennsylvania are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and DeKay's Brownsnake. 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 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 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.
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 Pennsylvania.
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Broader backupBook a snake tour in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 7,493 of the 33,428 verified snakes sightings logged in Pennsylvania across the year, which is 22.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Pennsylvania?+
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 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.
See snakes in Pennsylvania in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Pennsylvania