Do you picture snakes when you think about Delaware? Most likely not.
How many types of snakes are in Delaware, considering that it is mostly urbanized and relatively tiny compared to other states? You might be shocked that Delaware has had at least 20 snake sightings over the years!
Fortunately, only one or possibly two of Delaware’s numerous snakes are poisonous, so as long as you can tell them apart, you can enjoy them to your heart’s pleasure.
We’ve developed a list of some of the state’s most prominent types of snakes in Delaware, and we hope you come across some of them while traveling.
1. Eastern Garter Snake
The eastern garter snake is starting our list of types of snakes in Delaware.
The average common garter snake only reaches 2.5 feet in length. Adults have a center yellowish line down their backs and are brownish-green with a black checkerboard pattern.
They live in many different settings and eat frogs, fish, and slugs.
2. Rat Snake
A species of constrictors known collectively as “rat snakes” are found in various parts of the East and Midwest.
Because they prefer rodents and are prone to living in places with dense populations of people, people frequently refer to these snakes as “rat snakes.
While several of the types of snakes in Delaware have nicknames, such as “rat snake,” some species are known by names like “corn snake” and “fox snake.”
They are frequently discussed in the reptile trade due to their big size and calm demeanor.
3. Racers and Whipsnake
One of the most common types of snakes in Delaware that is native to the United States is the Black Racer (Coluber constrictor).
In reality, there are eleven separate subspecies in the lower 48 states. Like the Black Racer, many species are called color in common parlance.
For instance, Blue Racers are widespread in the Great Lakes region.
Most of the East, from southern Maine to the Florida Keys, is home to the snakes, more commonly called Black racers.
The image shows they are long, slender snakes with black bodies and white chins.
4. Northern Black Racer
Rat snakes and black racers are frequently mistaken. The racer snake has smooth scales, while rat snakes have more textured ones.
However, they are comparable in size, color, and habitat preference.
These types of snakes in Delaware also consume frogs, small animals, and even other snakes. As their name suggests, they move quite quickly.
5. Common Watersnake
Most common water snakes have black, white, and reddish-brown crossbands that reach lengths of about 3 feet.
As their name implies, they are typically discovered close to water, primarily freshwater but occasionally brackish.
These types of snakes in Delaware primarily consume fish and frogs.
6. Dekay’s Brown Snake
Normally, DeKay’s brown snakes are only a foot or so long. They have paired black specks and range in color from gray to brown.
They are frequently mistaken for garters. Nighttime only, Dekay’s brown snakes are rarely spotted.
They feed mostly on slugs and earthworms and can be found in various locations under logs, rocks, or other debris.
7. Plain-bellied Watersnake
Plain-bellied water snakes, which can grow to 5 feet in length and have an orangey underside, are next on our list of snake types in Delaware.
They share the same habitats and diet as ordinary watersnakes. In Delaware, they are at risk.
8. Scarlet Snake
The length of an endangered scarlet snake ranges from 14 to 20 inches.
Scarlet Snakes feature cream-colored areas between red spots that are edged in black and are sometimes mistaken for milk snakes.
They are burrowers typically found around pine trees in sandy, loose soil. They favor reptile eggs but eat a range of tiny reptiles, mammals, and insects.
9. Eastern Copperhead
The sole poisonous snake in Delaware is the eastern copperhead.
People frequently mistake many snake species, particularly young rat snakes, hog-nosed snakes, and watersnakes, for copperheads.
Like cats, these types of snakes in Delaware have vertical pupils. They have hourglass-shaped crossbands in various tones of brown and tan.
10. Common Worm Snake
The elusive worm snake can reach a maximum length of about one foot. Its bellies are somewhat pink, and its body is all brown.
They can be found in various settings, typically under rocks, logs, or other surface debris. Their main food is worms.
11. Eastern Milk Snake
Eastern milk snakes typically reach lengths of 3 feet and have reddish blotches with black borders and cream-colored areas in between.
They are another stealthy burrower that preys primarily on small mammals.
12. Eastern Kingsnake
Eastern kingsnakes are also a type of snake in Delaware. They are typically 4 feet long, black, and have thin white crossbars.
Although they also eat several different foods, they are known for devouring other snakes and can be found in various settings.
13. Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Hog-nosed snakes can be completely black or have crossbands of black, brown, orange, red, and gray tones.
Their raised snout serves as the best visual cue. They can reach lengths of three to four feet.
These snakes, which are found in various sandy soil settings in Delaware, primarily prey on toads. They could lunge, hiss, or even assume a fatal posture when confronted.
14. Ring-necked Snake
Typically, ring-necked snakes measure around a foot long. The color ranges from blueish black to gray to brown, with a “ring” around the neck that is yellow or cream.
They live in surface detritus from forests and eat skinks, salamanders, and worms.
15. Smooth Earthsnake
Uniformly reddish-brown to dark gray, smooth earth snakes frequently have minute black specks.
They live in various settings, mostly below or beneath surface trash, and their major food source is worms.
16. Queensnake
Queen snakes are rather small, growing to a maximum length of three feet.
They can be gray, brown, or olive green, with two cream-colored or yellowish stripes running along their lengths and occasionally several other dark stripes.
These types of snakes in Delaware are frequently mistaken for garters.
Queensnakes nearly exclusively consume crayfish and are typically found around shallow, rocky streams.
17. Rough Green Snake
Rough green snakes can reach lengths of two to three feet. They eat mostly insects and dwell in trees in a variety of settings.
18. Common Ribbonsnake
Common ribbonsnakes have three yellow or cream-colored stripes running their length and are dark brown or black. They have a 2-foot maximum height.
They inhabit various semi-aquatic habitats around bodies of water, frequently in trees.
These types of snakes in Delaware primarily consume tiny fish, salamanders, and frogs.
19. Red-bellied Snake
Typically, the red-bellied snake is just eight to ten inches long. It contains two to four dark stripes and can be gray, brown, or black.
Like the Dekay’s brown snake, the red-bellied snake is nocturnal and can be found in various settings.
It frequently hides under logs, rocks, or other debris. Slugs make up almost all of its diet.
20. Red Corn Snake
Red corn snakes are the last of our blog’s snake types in Delaware. They can reach a maximum length of 4 feet.
They have tan in between spots of reddish-brown color bordered with black.
This elusive snake inhabits woodlands and preys primarily on rodents.
