Snakes in Rhode Island in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Rhode Island. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 319 of the 1,659 sightings logged across the year (19.2%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Rhode Island
19.2%
of yearly sightings
319
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
1,659
verified records a year
April 17.2%, May 19.2%, June 17.2%. Busiest month is May at 19.2%.
1,659 verified observations of snakes in Rhode Island, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Rhode Island
Peak month
May
319 records (19.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 0.3% |
| February | 3 | 0.2% |
| March | 56 | 3.4% |
| Aprilpeak | 285 | 17.2% |
| Maypeak | 319 | 19.2% |
| Junepeak | 286 | 17.2% |
| July | 164 | 9.9% |
| August | 181 | 10.9% |
| September | 163 | 9.8% |
| October | 150 | 9% |
| November | 39 | 2.4% |
| December | 8 | 0.5% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 733 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 230 |
| Common Watersnake | 197 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 119 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 111 |
| North American Racer | 108 |
| Eastern Hognose Snake | 43 |
| Smooth Greensnake | 24 |
In Rhode Island, May carries 19.2% of the year's snakes sightings, about 10.9 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 (17.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.2%) 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 Rhode Island are Common Garter Snake, DeKay's Brownsnake 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
- Common Garter Snake733 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake230 records
- Common Watersnake197 records
- Eastern Milksnake119 records
- Ring-necked Snake111 records
- North American Racer108 records
Plan your snake trip in Rhode Island
Start with live tours near Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
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 Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best snake viewing area in Rhode Island.
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Broader backupBook a snake tour in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 319 of the 1,659 verified snakes sightings logged in Rhode Island across the year, which is 19.2% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Rhode Island?+
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 Rhode Island?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 1,659 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Rhode Island?+
The most-recorded species in Rhode Island are Common Garter Snake, DeKay's Brownsnake and Common Watersnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Rhode Island in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Rhode Island