Snakes in Tennessee in June

Yes, June is one of the best months to see snakes in Tennessee. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 5,031 of the 37,212 sightings logged across the year (13.5%), 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.

Western Mudsnake photographed in TennesseeScarlet Kingsnake photographed in TennesseeBlack Kingsnake photographed in Tennessee
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for snakes in Tennessee

13.5%

of yearly sightings

5,031

records in June

#3

busiest month of 12

37,212

verified records a year

May 21.5%, June 13.5%, July 9.1%. Busiest month is May at 21.5%.

Best months: May, April, June

37,212 verified observations of snakes in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Tennessee

Peak month

May

7,988 records (21.5% of the year)

Quietest month

January

159 records

MonthObservationsShare
January1590.4%
February3931.1%
March3,2758.8%
Aprilpeak7,19119.3%
Maypeak7,98821.5%
Junepeak5,03113.5%
July3,3869.1%
August3,0328.1%
September3,3058.9%
October2,3916.4%
November8702.3%
December1910.5%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Gray Ratsnake4,698
Common Watersnake3,802
Common Five-lined Skink3,226
Eastern Fence Lizard2,672
Common Garter Snake2,280
Ring-necked Snake2,009
Black Kingsnake1,593
Eastern Copperhead1,465

In Tennessee, June carries 13.5% of the year's snakes sightings, about 5.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from May (21.5%) into June, and it heads toward July (9.1%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so June is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

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

Which snakes you are most likely to see

  • Gray Ratsnake4,698 records
  • Common Watersnake3,802 records
  • Common Five-lined Skink3,226 records
  • Eastern Fence Lizard2,672 records
  • Common Garter Snake2,280 records
  • Ring-necked Snake2,009 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your snake trip in Tennessee

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 Tennessee in June?+

Yes. June accounts for 5,031 of the 37,212 verified snakes sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 13.5% of the annual total.

Is June a good time to see snakes in Tennessee?+

June is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and June.

What month is best for snakes in Tennessee?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 37,212 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in Tennessee are Gray Ratsnake, Common Watersnake and Common Five-lined Skink, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.