If you’re a fan of wildlife, you may be interested in finding out about the different types of snakes that come out at night. You may even want to see one! Here are some species to look out for:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Snakes can exhibit nocturnal behavior, being active at night. |
| Nocturnal snakes have evolved specific adaptations to thrive in low light environments. |
| The type of snakes that come out at night may vary depending on the region and habitat. |
| Factors such as temperature, prey availability, and predator avoidance influence snake activity at night. |
| Understanding the behavior of nocturnal snakes is essential for snake enthusiasts and owners. |
Garter snakes
Garter snakes are the most common snake in North America, found throughout the United States and Canada.
They are small and slender, with a dark stripe down their back. They’re often confused for garden snakes because of their appearance, but garter snakes have more stripes than garden snakes and tend to be more active during the day than at night.
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Ringneck snakes
Ringneck snakes are a species of colubrid snake found in the Southeastern United States. They’re small, non-venomous and have a distinctive red ring around their necks. Here’s what you need to know about Ringneck snakes:
- Despite their name, Ringnecks don’t have any rings on them at all!
- The only time they will bite is if they feel threatened or if they’re irritated by your hands or feet.
- They tend to be slow moving, which makes them easy pickings for predators like raccoons and birds that would normally consider these little guys lunch on the run.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Ringneck snakes are found in various habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. |
| Size | Adult ringneck snakes typically measure between 10 and 15 inches in length. |
| Appearance | These snakes are known for their slender bodies, smooth scales, and distinct coloration. They often have a dark body with a bright or contrasting ring around their neck. |
| Diet | Ringneck snakes primarily feed on small invertebrates, such as earthworms, slugs, and insects. |
| Behavior | They are typically nocturnal and secretive, spending most of their time burrowed underground or hiding under cover objects during the day. |
| Reproduction | Ringneck snakes are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young. |
| Venomous | While ringneck snakes possess small rear fangs and produce a mild venom, they are not considered harmful to humans. |
| Conservation | Most species of ringneck snakes are not currently considered threatened or endangered. |
Corn snakes
Corn snakes are non-venomous snakes native to the eastern and central United States. They’re common in captivity, and they can be kept as pets because they’re easy to care for.
Corn snakes do not like being handled by humans, but they will tolerate it if necessary. If you have a corn snake as a pet, keep in mind that it may bite when disturbed or annoyed by you.
In general, corn snakes are active during the day time and sleep at night.
Rat snakes
Rat snakes are some of the most common, but there are many other types of snakes that come out at night.
The word “rat” in their name is a bit of a misnomer, as they don’t usually look like rats. They’re actually constrictors and will wrap themselves around their prey before suffocating it. They can grow up to 10 feet long and are usually dark brown or black with lighter stripes along their body.
The rat snake may also go by another name: chicken snake or cat snake (though it doesn’t eat chickens or cats!).
Having concerns about your corn snake’s digestion? Our article on why is my corn snake not pooping offers expert advice and possible solutions to address this common issue among snake owners.
Hognose snakes
Hognose snakes are non-venomous and a good choice to keep as pets. They have flat, upturned snouts that resemble the nose of a hog, which is why they got their name.
These snakes are excellent swimmers, but can also be found in the deserts and rocky areas of the western United States and Canada.
Hognose snakes are diurnal (active during the day), so if you see one out during the evening hours it’s probably not a hognose snake!
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Hognose snakes inhabit a range of environments, including grasslands, forests, and deserts. |
| Size | Adult hognose snakes can vary in length, with averages ranging from 20 to 45 inches. |
| Appearance | These snakes feature distinctive upturned snouts and flattened heads. They come in various colors and patterns, including shades of brown, tan, and red. |
| Diet | Hognose snakes primarily feed on amphibians, such as frogs and toads, but may also consume small reptiles and rodents. |
| Behavior | They are known for their defensive behavior, including playing dead, hissing, and spreading their necks like cobras. |
| Venomous | Hognose snakes possess mild venom, primarily used for subduing prey. While their venom is not harmful to humans, some individuals may experience localized reactions. |
| Conservation | Most species of hognose snakes are not currently considered threatened or endangered. |
Bullsnakes
Bullsnakes are common in the desert southwest, and they’re nonvenomous. They’re also quite large, with some reaching up to 6 feet long. Bullsnakes eat rodents, birds, and other snakes (the predators!). These snakes are good for controlling rodent populations because they feed on them so frequently.
When your snake refuses to eat, it can be worrisome. Our guide on what to do when your snake won’t eat provides practical tips and strategies to encourage feeding behavior in snakes.
Kingsnakes
The kingsnake is a genus of nonvenomous snakes found in the Americas. They are closely related to the milk snakes, which are also harmless.
Kingsnakes prey on small rodents, lizards and amphibians. They have a long lifespan and can grow up to 6 feet long!
Watersnakes
You might think that snakes are nocturnal, but not all of them are. There are a few species of snake that actually prefer to hunt during the day.
These snakes are called watersnakes and they’re found throughout Eastern and Central North America.
These snakes aren’t venomous, but they do have sharp teeth and an impressive bite force—a good reason to give these guys a wide berth! They feed on fish, amphibians and small mammals such as mice or rats (they’ll even eat birds!).
Their diet changes depending on what time of year it is: for example, watersnakes feast on crayfish when there’s no shortage of amphibians in their habitat at other times of year.
Encountered an injured garter snake? It’s crucial to know the right steps to take. Learn how to provide proper care and treatment by reading our article on what to do with an injured garter snake, ensuring the well-being of these fascinating reptiles.
Milk snakes
Milk snakes are common in the eastern United States, and they can be easily identified by their gray or brown body with red, yellow and black bands. The name milk snake comes from their tendency to feed on the milk of cows.
Milk snakes are not venomous; in fact, they’re rather docile. They do have sharp teeth that can give you a nasty bite if you try to pick them up (as many kids do when they see one). It’s best just to leave these harmless creatures alone!
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Milk snakes inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and farmland. |
| Size | Adult milk snakes typically range in length from 2 to 4 feet. |
| Appearance | These snakes exhibit vibrant color patterns, often featuring bands or blotches of red, black, and yellow. |
| Diet | Milk snakes are constrictors that primarily feed on small mammals, such as mice and rats, as well as birds and reptiles. |
| Behavior | They are primarily nocturnal and secretive, spending much of their time hiding under rocks, logs, or in burrows. |
| Venomous | Milk snakes are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans. |
| Conservation | Most species of milk snakes are not currently considered threatened or endangered. |
Milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
Milk snakes are not venomous, so your fear of them can be put to rest. They are the most popular pet snake in the world, making them a great choice for beginners and people who want a more manageable snake with which to begin their reptile collection.
Milk snakes are easy-to-care-for pets that don’t need a lot of attention or special equipment—just an enclosure, heat pad (if you live in cooler climates), water bowl and food dish!
Even though they’re nonvenomous, milk snakes can still bite if they feel threatened or scared (which is understandable). If you have small children around your home, make sure there’s no way for them to get near the cage so that no one gets hurt during daily handling.
Eastern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
The Eastern cottonmouth is a large snake that can grow to be over six feet long, with an average length of three to four feet.
It has an iridescent body with dark brown or black spots running down the length of its body and tail, alternating with light-colored crossbands along either side of its head. A white spot on the tip of its tail is also common.
Cottonmouths are found throughout much of eastern North America, as far west as Texas and southern Illinois, northward into Ontario and Quebec in Canada; they’re also found in southern Florida (though it’s rare for them to swim across ocean waters). In their natural habitat—rivers or swamps—cottonmouths live mostly underwater but come out at night to hunt prey such as fish, frogs, mammals and birds. They’ll even eat other snakes!
The name “cottonmouth” comes from the snake’s habit of gaping open its mouth when threatened (though this does not happen often).
As for why people call these snakes “water moccasins,” well…that has nothing to do with how venomous they are since all species within this group have venom; rather it’s because these snakes live around water and tend not to move very far away from it!
But don’t worry too much: cottonmouth bites are actually pretty rare; there aren’t even many records documenting them happening at all!
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Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
The Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is the largest and most dangerous of the rattlesnakes in North America. It is a large heavy-bodied snake with a triangular head and a rattle on its tail.
The western diamondback rattlesnake is one of six species of rattlesnake native to North America, but it’s also one of three species that are common throughout the continent. It ranges from southern Canada through Mexico and can be found as far south as Guatemala.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you to understand what type of snakes come out at night, and why they do so.
We’ve also given you some helpful tips on how to protect yourself from these dangerous creatures. Remember: if you see a snake on your property in the day time, call an expert immediately!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic of snakes:
Night Snake: Explore the characteristics and behavior of the night snake, a species known for its nocturnal activity and habitat preferences.
What Snakes Do at Night: Discover the intriguing activities and behaviors of snakes during nighttime hours, shedding light on their nocturnal habits.
Are Snakes Active at Night?: This article delves into the behavior patterns of snakes at night, explaining the factors that influence their activity levels during darkness.
FAQs
Q: How do snakes hunt in the dark?
A: Snakes possess specialized sensory organs, such as heat-sensing pits and keen eyesight, that enable them to detect prey and navigate their surroundings even in low light conditions.
Q: Are all snakes nocturnal?
A: No, not all snakes are nocturnal. While some species are primarily active at night, many others exhibit diurnal (daytime) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) behavior patterns.
Q: What are the advantages of being a nocturnal snake?
A: Nocturnal snakes have evolved to thrive in low light environments. Being active at night allows them to avoid predators, regulate body temperature, and take advantage of prey that is also active during nighttime.
Q: How do snakes adapt to hunting in the dark?
A: Snakes have a variety of adaptations that aid in hunting during darkness. This includes heightened senses, specialized vision, infrared detection, and the ability to sense vibrations to locate prey.
Q: What are some common nocturnal snake species?
A: Several snake species are known for their nocturnal behavior, including the night snake, western diamondback rattlesnake, eastern coral snake, and black rat snake. These species are more active during nighttime hours.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.