Delaware has 2 dangerous venomous species of snakes that are native to the state. These are the Eastern Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake. Timber rattlesnakes are very rare in Delaware and may be extirpated from the state.
Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Delaware is also home to 3 mildly venomous species that are not dangerous snakes.
These are the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, the Common Garter Snake, and the Eastern Ribbon Snake. We will talk about each of these snakes in the paragraphs below.
Pit Vipers
Rattlesnakes and Copperheads belong to the venomous viperidae or pit viper family. Pit vipers have heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are actually specialized organs that detect infrared radiation from prey animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They are also able to detect body heat from about 1 meter away.
Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. These snakes play an important role in maintaining balance in rodent populations.
Delaware was, historically, home to the Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen). However, DNA shows that Northern Copperheads, Southern Copperheads, and Osage Copperheads are synonymous. Accordingly, these three subspecies have been merged into the Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix). See
Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
The Eastern Copperhead is a pit viper native to the eastern and mid-western United States.
Eastern Copperhead snakes have reddish-tan to grayish-tan bodies. The entire length of their bodies is overlaid with hourglass-shaped dark brown markings. Their triangular heads are proportionately large. They have a copper-colored head. This is the reason they have the name “Copperhead.”
Copperheads are stout heavy-bodied snakes. Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) from the nose to the tip of its tail.
Where Do Copperheads Live in Delaware?
There have been reports of sightings throughout the state. However, you are more likely to find these snakes in Wilmington and Sussex Counties.
Look for Copperheads in wooded areas. They live in pine or deciduous forests, agricultural areas, and river bottoms. These habitats have leaf litter and plant debris that provide cover for them to hide in.
Eastern Copperhead Behavior
Copperheads have excellent camouflage coloration. It helps them blend in with leaf litter and other ground debris. Furthermore, they use camouflage as their number one defense mechanism. In other words, these snakes choose to lie perfectly still rather than flee most of the time.
When they feel threatened, they occasionally mimic the tail vibration of a rattlesnake. But, in most cases, they choose to lie perfectly still.
Most copperhead bites on humans occur when the person steps on or near the snake.
What Do Eastern Copperheads Eat?
Copperheads prey on a variety of species. Their menu includes small rodents, amphibians, small birds, snakes, lizards, and large insects.
Wintertime Brumation
Snakes do not tolerate the cold weather in the winter months very well. They are ectotherms, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature internally. Physiologically, ectotherms cannot hibernate. Yet, they go into a state of suspended animation called brumation for up to 6 months out of the year.
Copperheads winter underneath rocks, in hollow logs, and in fissures on rocky hillsides. An individual might brumate alone in some parts of their range. But copperheads tend to be social. In some areas, they congregate together in dens with other snakes through the winter.
In hilly terrain, south-facing slopes capture more radiant warmth from the sun. So, that is where these dens are generally located. The other snakes they den with are not necessarily just copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with other types of snakes. You may find a Timber Rattler, or an eastern rat snake, sharing the same den with copperheads. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
How Dangerous are Copperheads?
A Copperhead can bite and inject venom when they are newly born. Like most pit vipers, they have hemotoxic venom.
Most copperhead bites are not life-threatening. On the other hand, any bite from this snake is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. If a copperhead bite victim gets medical help fast, they have a better chance of a positive outcome.
Copperhead bites can cause intense pain, shock, and swelling. Their bites also have the potential to cause blood in urine, tissue damage, and kidney failure.
An interesting study has found that Copperhead venom contains a protein called contortrostatin. Contortrostatin has been found to stop the growth of cancer cells in mice.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Timber rattlesnakes may be extirpated in Delaware. The Delaware.gov website says the Eastern Copperhead is the only venomous snake in the state.
However, the University of Delaware says that the timber rattler also lives in the state.
I will include this section, assuming timber rattlers still exist in Delaware.
Timber rattlesnakes are native to eastern North America. Other common names for them are Timber Rattler and Canebrake Rattlesnake. Generally, in higher-elevation habitats, they are called Timber Rattlesnakes. On the coastal plain, though, they’re called Canebrake Rattlesnakes.
The average Timber Rattlesnake grows 36 to 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. However, there have been reports of them growing up to 7 feet (2.13m) long. See
These snakes vary in color. Their general base coloration is yellowish-brown to a light gray color, though. They have dark brown to black bands on their back and sides against a lighter base color. Moreover, they have a rusty to reddish stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. There are also melanistic timber rattlers. These are dark and sometimes almost entirely black. In the dark color morph of these snakes, the tail is also darker than the rest of the snake’s body.
Where Do Timber Rattlesnakes Live?
The Timber rattlesnake lives in a variety of habitats. These include rocky outcrops, pine forests, swampy areas, farm fields, and floodplains. These snakes are marvelous climbers and have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. Source
Wintertime Brumation
As we discussed in the section on copperheads, snakes brumate in the winter. Brumation is a reptile’s version of hibernation.
Timber Rattlesnakes make wintertime dens in sheltered spots. They den underneath rocks and logs, as well as in fissures in rocky hillsides. An individual Timber Rattler might brumate alone in some parts of their range. But in other areas, they congregate in dens with other snakes through the winter.
Dens are usually placed in rocky areas on slopes facing south because they get more warmth from the sun. They don’t always share their dens only with Timber Rattlers. Sometimes, they share their dens with other species of snakes. These might include Copperheads and eastern rat snakes. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?
Timber rattlesnakes prey on rodents, rabbits, small birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
What Eats Timber Rattlesnakes?
Three Delaware snake species actually have venomous snakes on their menu. These are the Eastern Kingsnake, the Northern Black Racer, and the Eastern Milksnake. These snakes are ophiophages or snake eaters. They are also constrictors. This means that they seize their prey and then kill it by strangulation. Incidentally, they are also immune to snake venom.
Bobcats occasionally prey on rattlesnakes and copperheads. They do this even though they are not immune to snake venom. Source
Delaware’s bald eagles and red-tailed hawks also both occasionally prey on venomous.
How Dangerous Are Timber Rattlesnakes?
Timber rattlesnakes are among the most dangerous snakes in the United States. This is due to their large size, long fangs, and high venom yield. 1% to 10% of untreated Timber Rattlesnake bites result in a fatality.
The good news is that they produce dry bites 40% to 60% of the time. In other words, although their fangs penetrate the body, they do not inject any venom. Source
A defensive bite is less likely to be a venomous bite than a prey strike.
These snakes produce hemotoxic venom. Timber Rattlesnake bites sometimes cause serious complications. These include shock, seizures, coma, internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage. Source
Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites
Some of the symptoms you may experience when a venomous snake bites you include:
- Discoloration in the area of the bite.
- Swelling in the area of the bite.
- Loss of muscle coordination.
- Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Having a faster heartbeat or rapid pulse.
What Should You Do If A Venomous Snake Bites You?
If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. This is because the sooner a victim receives anti-venom, the less likely the venom in their body is to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate. If you have a phone, the best action is to photograph the snake from a safe distance. Otherwise, get started on your way to the nearest hospital.
First Aid for Snake Bite Victims
- Remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle to get help, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
- Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.
- Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
- Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
- You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
- You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. Call the hospital to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have anti-venom ready to give you as soon as you arrive.
- A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.
Dressing for Snake Country
- High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
- It’s a good idea to wear loose-fitting denim. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
- In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.
Delawares Moderately Venomous Snakes
The following three snakes produce venom. However, they are not dangerous to humans. For this reason, they are not routinely classified as venomous.
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
The “First State” is also home to the Eastern Hog-nosed snake. The Eastern Hognose snake is a rear-fanged colubrid snake and is mildly venomous. However, they are not dangerous to humans.
Here is a case of a western Hognose snakebite.
The Eastern hognose snake is also known as the bastard rattlesnake or the blowing adder. They are smaller snakes with stout, short bodies. Adults average 28 inches (71 cm) in length. Their color is variable. They can be orange, brown, green, or gray. They can also be any combination of those colors. Their backs may be blotched. They may also have a prominent checkered pattern or be solid-colored. The color of their bellies ranges from grey to cream.
These snakes derive their common name from an upturned nose scale. It gives their snout a long, hoglike appearance.
The color of their bellies ranges from grey to cream.
These snakes derive their common name from an upturned nose scale. It gives their snout a long, hoglike appearance.
Hognose Snake Behavior
When hognose snakes are threatened, they lift their heads and flatten their necks. This gives them a cobra-like appearance. They also hiss and strike without opening their mouths. They almost never bite. Instead, they headbutt whatever they’re striking at. If the hissing and false strikes don’t do the trick, they will roll over on their backs and play dead.
Garter Snakes
Until the early 2000s, the common wisdom was that the garter snake was a nonvenomous snake. However, scientists have discovered that these snakes produce a mild neurotoxic venom. It is produced in their duvernoy’s gland and mixes in with their saliva.
Despite being mildly venomous, garter snakes are not dangerous to humans.
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
The Common Garter snake, or Red-sided Garter snake, is found across most of North America. Interestingly, these snakes come in various colors. These include green, blue, yellow, gold, red, orange, brown, and black. Moreover, they grow to about 4 feet (122cm) long. However, most stay smaller than that. Most of them have vertical stripes that are yellow to brown over a darker background.
Common Garter snakes feed on mice, small birds, fish, frogs, and insects.
These snakes sometimes secrete a foul-smelling fluid from postanal glands when handled. Common Garter snakes have slightly venomous saliva. However, they are not a danger to humans.
Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita)
Eastern Ribbon snake adults range from 16 to 28 in. (41 to 71 cm) in length. Their bodies are brown with three light yellow stripes. One stripe goes down the spine, and the other two are on each side of the body. Their bellies are yellow or pale green. The top of their head is dark brown, while the area below their eyes and under their chin is pure white.
Ribbonsnakes are aquatic. They mainly feed on amphibians and small fish. Aquatic insects are also on their menu.
Like all garter snakes, ribbonsnakes have slightly venomous saliva. However, they are not a danger to humans.
