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 a length of 2.5 feet. 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 of their preference for rodents and their propensity to live in places with dense populations of people, people frequently refer to these snakes as “rat snakes” for this reason.
While several of the types of snakes in Delaware have nicknames that include “rat snake,” some species go by names like “corn snake” and “fox snake.”
They are frequently discussed in the reptile trade due to their big size and generally placid demeanor.
3. Racers and Whipsnake
One of the most common types of snakes in Delaware that are native to the United States goes by the name of 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 clearly 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 are next on our list of types of snakes in Delaware which can grow to a length of 5 feet and have an orangey underside.
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 a cat, these types of snakes in Delaware have vertical pupils. It has hourglass-shaped crossbands in various tones of brown and tan.
10. Common Worm Snake
The elusive worm snake has a maximum length of about one foot. Their bellies are somewhat pink, and they are all brown.
They can be found in various settings, typically under rocks, logs, or other surface detritus, and 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 one of the types of snakes in Delaware. It is typically 4 feet long, black, and has 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.
The main prey of these snakes in Delaware, found in various sandy soil settings, is toads. When confronted, they could lunge, hiss, or even assume a fatal posture.
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 in color.
They live in surface detritus from forests and eat skinks, salamanders, and worms.
15. Smooth Earthsnake
Uniformly reddish-brown to dark gray in color, 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 in color, 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 the length of them and are dark brown or black in color. 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 in color.
Like the Dekay’s brown snake, the red-bellied snake is nocturnal and can be found in various settings, frequently hiding under logs, rocks, or other debris. Slugs make up almost all of their diet.
20. Red Corn Snake
Red corn snakes are the last on our blog types of snakes in Delaware. They have 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.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these types of snakes in Delaware are found in environments that offer food and protection and where it is simple for them to control their body temperatures.
“Your yard is probably providing these resources for the snake if you have noticed one hanging around your house,” he said.
Make your garden less appealing to these types of snakes in Delaware and the species they eat to keep them out. Maintain tidy flower beds and frequent mowing.
Avoid letting sticks or leaves pile up. Never store bird seed outside or feed pets outside. Use no rocks in your landscape.
