Backyards can be a haven for a variety of wildlife, and snakes are no exception. While not everyone is thrilled to encounter these legless reptiles, many of them are harmless and play an essential role in keeping the ecosystem balanced.
This list will introduce you to snakes you might find slithering through your garden. From the common garter snake to the elusive rat snake, you’ll learn all about their habits, appearances, and how they can benefit your backyard environment.
1. Garter Snake
Garter snakes are among the most common snakes you might find in your backyard. With their distinctive yellow stripes running down their bodies, they are easily recognizable and quite harmless to humans. These snakes prefer grassy areas, and you might spot one basking in the sun or hunting for small prey like frogs and insects.
These adaptable snakes are found all across North America. They are non-venomous and usually very docile, making them a welcome sight for many gardeners who appreciate their pest control abilities. If you ever see a garter snake in your yard, consider yourself lucky!
While their appearance may startle you at first, garter snakes are essential in maintaining the balance of your backyard ecosystem. They help keep pest populations down, which can be especially beneficial if you’re cultivating a garden. If you encounter one, it’s best to admire it from a distance and let it continue its slithery journey.
2. Rat Snake
Rat snakes are another common backyard visitor, known for their impressive size and sleek black appearance. These snakes can grow quite large, sometimes reaching up to six feet in length. Despite their intimidating size, rat snakes are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans.
These snakes are excellent climbers and are often found in trees or tall shrubs, where they hunt for birds and their eggs. They are also skilled at controlling rodent populations, earning them the name ‘rat snake.’ If you have a rat problem, consider these snakes your natural solution.
Rat snakes are generally shy and will avoid humans when possible. If you spot one, it’s best to give it space and appreciate its role in keeping your backyard free of pests. These snakes can be beneficial allies in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
3. Corn Snake
These snakes are non-venomous and are often kept as pets due to their docile nature and beautiful coloration. Corn snakes are primarily found in the southeastern United States, but they can also be spotted in backyards where they hunt for small rodents and birds.
They are excellent climbers and can often be seen basking in sunny areas, warming up after a cool night. These snakes are beneficial to have around as they control pest populations, particularly rodents. While they may look striking, their presence is a sign of a healthy backyard ecosystem.
If you encounter a corn snake, take a moment to admire its beauty and remember that it’s playing an important role in your garden.
4. Milk Snake
Often confused with the venomous coral snake, milk snakes are harmless and pose no threat to humans. These snakes are known for their secretive nature and can often be found hiding under logs or leaf litter during the day.
At night, they become more active, hunting for small mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Milk snakes are beneficial to have around as they help control rodent populations. If you spot one, take care not to disturb its habitat, and enjoy the vibrant splash of color it adds to your backyard.
Remember, these snakes are more interested in avoiding you than causing harm, so give them their space and appreciate their role in the ecosystem.
5. King Snake
With their black and white bands, king snakes are easily mistaken for other species like the coral snake, but king snakes are entirely harmless to humans. These snakes are called ‘king’ because of their diet, which includes other snakes, even venomous ones.
This makes them valuable allies in controlling snake populations in your backyard. King snakes are non-venomous and typically shy, avoiding human contact whenever possible. If you come across one, it’s best to leave it be and appreciate its contribution to keeping your backyard’s ecosystem in check. Their presence is a good sign of a healthy and balanced environment.
6. Water Snake
These snakes are often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth, but water snakes are non-venomous and not aggressive. They thrive in aquatic environments and can often be seen swimming gracefully through the water in search of fish and amphibians.
Their presence is an indication of a healthy water ecosystem. While they may appear intimidating due to their size and color pattern, water snakes are harmless and beneficial to have around. They help control fish and frog populations, ensuring a balanced pond environment.
If you see one, it’s best to observe from a distance and let them continue their aquatic adventures.
7. Hognose Snake
These harmless snakes are known for their dramatic defensive display, which includes hissing. They are usually found in sandy or loose soil areas where they can burrow in search of toads, their primary prey.
Despite their theatrical antics, hognose snakes are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans. These snakes contribute to pest control by keeping amphibian populations in check.
If you encounter a hognose snake, enjoy the show from a safe distance and admire its unique adaptation strategies. Their presence is a sign of a diverse and thriving backyard ecosystem.
8. Brown Snake
These snakes are typically found hiding under logs or rocks in shaded areas of the backyard. Despite their size, brown snakes play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, feeding primarily on slugs, insects, and earthworms.
They are harmless to humans and generally very shy, preferring to stay hidden. If you notice a brown snake in your backyard, it’s best to let it be. Their presence indicates a healthy garden, as they help keep the insect population balanced. These snakes are an essential part of the ecosystem, contributing to the overall health of your backyard.
9. Ribbon Snake
Ribbon snakes are non-venomous snakes have thin bodies and distinct yellow stripes running down their sides. Commonly found in damp, grassy areas, ribbon snakes are excellent swimmers and can often be seen near ponds or streams.
They hunt for small fish, frogs, and insects, contributing to the control of these populations. While they may be quick to escape when spotted, ribbon snakes are harmless and beneficial to have in your backyard. Their presence is a good indicator of a healthy ecosystem, as they help maintain the balance of prey species.
If you spot one, enjoy its graceful movements from a distance.
10. Ringneck Snake
These creatures are small, secretive snakes known for the distinctive orange or yellow ring around their neck. These snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans. They are often found hiding under rocks, logs, or leaf litter, preferring wooded or shaded areas.
Ringneck snakes feed on small amphibians, insects, and earthworms, playing a vital role in controlling these populations in your backyard. If you come across a ringneck snake, it’s best to admire its vibrant colors and leave it undisturbed.
These snakes are an important part of the ecosystem, contributing to the natural pest control that keeps your garden thriving. Their presence indicates a well-balanced and healthy backyard environment.
11. Earth Snake
Earth snakes are tiny, burrowing non-venomous snakes and are usually found in loose soil or under leaf litter. Earth snakes primarily feed on earthworms and small insects, making them valuable for natural pest control.
Their presence in your garden is a sign of healthy soil and a thriving ecosystem. While rarely seen above ground, earth snakes play an important role in maintaining the balance of your backyard’s insect population.
If you discover one while gardening, simply cover it back up and allow it to continue its beneficial work in the soil.
12. Dekay’s Brown Snake
These non-venomous snakes are brown with darker spots, and they feed primarily on slugs and earthworms, providing natural pest control in your garden. Despite their small size, they play a vital role in maintaining the health of your backyard ecosystem.
If you spot a Dekay’s brown snake, take a moment to appreciate its presence and the benefits it brings to your garden. These snakes are harmless to humans and contribute significantly to the balance of your backyard environment.
13. Green Snake
Green snakes are often found in shrubs or trees, where they hunt for insects like grasshoppers and crickets. They are excellent climbers, and their presence is a sign of a healthy garden with a thriving insect population.
While their bright color makes them a joy to observe, it’s best to enjoy green snakes from a distance. Their role in controlling insect populations contributes to the overall balance and health of your backyard ecosystem.
14. Gopher Snake
Gopher snakes are large, non-venomous snakes often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to their similar markings and behavior. These snakes are harmless to humans and are beneficial in controlling rodent populations.
They are strong constrictors, using their powerful bodies to subdue prey such as mice, gophers, and other small mammals. Gopher snakes are often found in open areas or along the edges of gardens where they hunt for food.
If you encounter a gopher snake, give it space and appreciate its role in keeping your backyard free from rodents. Their presence is a positive indicator of a balanced ecosystem, and they are valuable allies in maintaining a healthy garden.
15. Eastern Rat Snake
These slitherers can grow quite large and are excellent climbers, often found in trees or on buildings. Eastern rat snakes are valuable for controlling rodent populations, feeding primarily on rats, mice, and birds. Despite their imposing size, they are harmless to humans and usually very shy.
It’s best to admire these snakes from a distance and allow it to continue its natural pest control. Their presence is beneficial for maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem.
16. Black Racer
These snakes are also non-venomous, primarily feeding on small rodents, birds, and insects, contributing to the control of these populations in your backyard. Despite their formidable hunting skills, black racers are harmless to humans and generally prefer to avoid contact.
If you spot a black racer, enjoy watching its swift movements from a distance. Their presence is a positive sign of a healthy and diverse backyard ecosystem, where natural pest control is actively taking place.
17. Red-Bellied Snake
Their name comes from the distinctive red or orange color on their bellies. These snakes primarily feed on slugs, snails, and insects, making them valuable for natural pest control. They are shy and secretive, often hiding under logs or leaf litter.
In case you see one, appreciate its unique coloration and role in maintaining the health of your backyard ecosystem. These snakes are harmless and play an important role in keeping your garden balanced and thriving.
18. Plain-Bellied Water Snake
These semi-aquatic snakes feed on fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures, contributing to the control of these populations. Plain-bellied water snakes are generally shy and prefer to avoid human interaction.
Their presence indicates a healthy aquatic ecosystem, where they play a crucial role in maintaining balance. If you see one in your pond, enjoy watching it glide through the water and appreciate its contribution to your backyard’s natural beauty.