Snakes in Tennessee in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Tennessee. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 3,305 of the 37,212 sightings logged across the year (8.9%), 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.
Good month for snakes in Tennessee
8.9%
of yearly sightings
3,305
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
37,212
verified records a year
August 8.1%, September 8.9%, October 6.4%. 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, September carries 8.9% of the year's snakes sightings, about 0.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (6.4%) after. The busiest month is May (21.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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.
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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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 3,305 of the 37,212 verified snakes sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 8.9% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in Tennessee?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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