Snakes
What are they?
Snakes need no introduction, but most people would be pleased to hear that all of the native species to be found in Cape May County are harmless. Snakes suffer from bad press and are often persecuted heavily by those that don't understand them. Consequently most species are uncommon and/or rarely seen. Most of our species belong in a large, worldwide family, the Colubridae. Many of these species are fast moving and good climbers, often climbing into bushes or high into trees to seek out birds' eggs and young to eat.
Identification
Identification of snakes is often made difficult by the fact that views may be fleeting. If seen well, however, Cape May's snakes are largely pretty easy to identify based on markings and whether the scales are keeled or not. Keeled scales have a ridge line running lengthwise down the middle and are often slightly arched at this point - like the keel of a boat.
Common Water Snake Nerodia sipedon
Length: 24-42 inches. Found throughout the county in wetland habitats. A snake that is at home in wetland areas, even hunting in water, below the surface. Variable in color but usually well banded and most often with reddish-brown tones.
| |
 |
 |
| |
Brown Snake Storeria dekayi
Length: 9-13 inches. Also known as Dekay's Snake, this is a small, sombre, secretive species which is widespread but not often seen - though unfortunately they are most often found dead on roads. A rather plain, light brown species with a double row of small, blackish spots and a black streak behind the eye. (Photos courtesy of Sam Wilson)
 |
 |
 |
| |
Common Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis
Length: 18-26 inches. Found throughout the county in wetland habitats. A snake that is at home in wetland areas, even hunting in water, below the surface. Variable in color but usually well banded and most often with reddish-brown tones.
 |
 |
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
Ring-necked Snake Diadophis punctatus
Length: 10-15 inches. Probably occurs throughout the county in wooded areas, but a small and secretive species and not often seen. Easily recognized by its olive coloration and bright yellow collar. Southern New Jersey lies at an intergrade zone between Northern and Southern subspecies of this snake and as a result, our local snakes may be variable in appearance. Northern Ringnecks generally have a complete collar, while Southern Ringnecks tend to have a break in the collar along the spine.
 |
 |
 |
| |
Eastern Worm Snake Carphophis amoenus
Length: 7.5-11 inches. Probably found in wooded areas throughout Cape May County, but elusive and difficult to find. A small, worm-like snake that spends much of its time hunting worms and other invertebrates in damp earth. Pale brown above and pink below.
 |
 |
 |
| |
Rough Green Snake Opheodrys aestivus
Length: 22-32 inches. Probably occurs throughout the county in wooded areas, but a small and secretive species and not often seen. This species spends much of its time hunting off the ground in bushes and low trees and blends in so well with leafy backgrounds that it may well be much more common than sightings suggest. Our only all green snake.
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Black Racer Coluber constrictor
Length: 36-60 inches. A large and quite common species found throughout the county. Superficially similar to Black Rat Snake but usually behaves differently and, if seen close up, the scales are unkeeled. When approached, this species usually darts off remarkably quickly - hence the common name. If followed, individuals often raise the head high off the ground to study their observer. The profile of the head of a Black Racer shows a shorter snout, the top of the head sloping down from just in front of the eye to the nostril.
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
| |
Eastern Rat Snake Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Length: 42-72 inches. The largest and commonest snake in Cape May County, found in a wide range of habitats and often associating with people in built up areas, where it hunts rats and mice in basements, sheds and old buildings. Also a very accomplished climber and will raid the nests of hole-nesting birds. Difficult to tell from Black Racer in a brief view but a close look will reveal that the scales are keeled (with a ridged line down the middle). Black Rat Snakes behave differently to racers too. If approached, this is more often a more agressive species and will usually start by tightening its body into a peculiar, corrugated shape. If approached closer, most individuals will quickly adopt a strike pose, with body coiled and neck pulled back in an s-curve. Though this may seem alarming, this is not a poisonous species. The profile of the head of a Rat Snake shows a longer snout, the top of the head running parallel from the top of the eye to the nostril.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
Eastern King Snake Lampropeltis getula
Length: 36-48 inches. A very attractive black snake with narrow bands of white on the body and a marbled head pattern. An uncommon and often elusive species of wetland margins, where it favors feeding on turtle eggs and other snakes, especially Northern Water Snake.
 |
 |
 |
| |
|