Snakes in Vermont in May

Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Vermont. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,513 of the 7,167 sightings logged across the year (21.1%), 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.

Peak month for snakes in Vermont

21.1%

of yearly sightings

1,513

records in May

#1

busiest month of 12

7,167

verified records a year

April 13.3%, May 21.1%, June 17.8%. Busiest month is May at 21.1%.

Best months: May, June, September

7,167 verified observations of snakes in Vermont, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When snakes are recorded in Vermont

Peak month

May

1,513 records (21.1% of the year)

Quietest month

February

2 records

MonthObservationsShare
January80.1%
February20%
March440.6%
April95013.3%
Maypeak1,51321.1%
Junepeak1,27517.8%
July89012.4%
August82711.5%
Septemberpeak95113.3%
October6398.9%
November590.8%
December90.1%

Snakes you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Garter Snake4,552
Eastern Milksnake706
Common Watersnake473
Red-bellied Snake465
DeKay's Brownsnake356
Ring-necked Snake222
Eastern Ratsnake155
Smooth Greensnake64

In Vermont, May carries 21.1% of the year's snakes sightings, about 12.8 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 (13.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (17.8%) 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 Vermont are Common Garter Snake, Eastern Milksnake 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 Snake4,552 records
  • Eastern Milksnake706 records
  • Common Watersnake473 records
  • Red-bellied Snake465 records
  • DeKay's Brownsnake356 records
  • Ring-necked Snake222 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

Plan your snake trip in Vermont

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 Vermont in May?+

Yes. May accounts for 1,513 of the 7,167 verified snakes sightings logged in Vermont across the year, which is 21.1% of the annual total.

Is May a good time to see snakes in Vermont?+

May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and September.

What month is best for snakes in Vermont?+

May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and September, based on 7,167 verified observations.

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

The most-recorded species in Vermont are Common Garter Snake, Eastern Milksnake and Common Watersnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.