Snakes in Tennessee in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Tennessee. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 7,988 of the 37,212 sightings logged across the year (21.5%), 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 Tennessee
21.5%
of yearly sightings
7,988
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
37,212
verified records a year
April 19.3%, May 21.5%, June 13.5%. Busiest month is May at 21.5%.
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)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 159 | 0.4% |
| February | 393 | 1.1% |
| March | 3,275 | 8.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 7,191 | 19.3% |
| Maypeak | 7,988 | 21.5% |
| Junepeak | 5,031 | 13.5% |
| July | 3,386 | 9.1% |
| August | 3,032 | 8.1% |
| September | 3,305 | 8.9% |
| October | 2,391 | 6.4% |
| November | 870 | 2.3% |
| December | 191 | 0.5% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Gray Ratsnake | 4,698 |
| Common Watersnake | 3,802 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 3,226 |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | 2,672 |
| Common Garter Snake | 2,280 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 2,009 |
| Black Kingsnake | 1,593 |
| Eastern Copperhead | 1,465 |
In Tennessee, May carries 21.5% of the year's snakes sightings, about 13.2 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 (19.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (13.5%) 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 Tennessee are Gray Ratsnake, Common Watersnake and Common Five-lined Skink. 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
- 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 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.
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 Tennessee.
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Broader backupBook a snake tour in Tennessee
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 Tennessee in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 7,988 of the 37,212 verified snakes sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 21.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Tennessee?+
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 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.
See snakes in Tennessee in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Tennessee