![]() National Park Service ![]() National Park Service Snake mating and reproduction take place from spring through fall. Some snakes give birth to live young. For example, the Eastern Gartersnake may give birth to around 10 to 60 live young at a time. Other snakes lay eggs. The small Northern Ring-necked Snake lays between one to 10 eggs, with the average clutch size being around three to four eggs. ![]() National Park Service Snake diets may vary by species, but generally, they consume insects, worms, amphibians, small mammals, birds and their eggs, and even other snakes. Some species like The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake have specialized food preferences. This snake consumes mostly toads, immune to the harmful toxins that toads produce. The Eastern Hog-nosed Snake also possess large teeth in the back of their mouth called rear fangs, which help them puncture inflated toads more easily. ![]() National Park Service The only venomous snake likely to be encountered in the Upper Delaware Region is the Timber Rattlesnake. However, the Timber Rattlesnake is not aggressive and unlikely to bite a person unless provoked. If you encounter a snake, leave it alone. Do not attempt to harass or handle any snake and keep a safe distance. Snakes found in the Upper Delaware Region include: Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum) Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus) Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) Northern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon) |
Last updated: February 25, 2022