Venomous snakes and spiders in New Jersey
New Jersey has two venomous snake species among the 18 snake species listed there: timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead. The timber rattlesnake accounts for the most records (17), and venomous species make up 2% of all 1,126 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, two species are medically significant: northern black widow and southern black widow.
Venomous snakes of New Jersey
New Jersey's venomous snakes are one rattlesnake species and one copperhead or cottonmouth species. Together they account for 27 licensed records; the timber rattlesnake alone has 63% of them, and the least recorded, the eastern copperhead, has 10.
Dangerous spiders of New Jersey
Two widow species (Northern black widow: 30 records, Southern black widow: 16 records) are on the New Jersey list. There is no recluse spider on the New Jersey list: no recluse species reaches 10 records in the state. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Other snakes recorded most in New Jersey
These eight account for 82% of all licensed snake records in New Jersey; the most recorded, the common garter snake, alone for 26%.
Other spiders recorded most in New Jersey
These eight account for 31% of all licensed spider records in New Jersey; the most recorded, the orchard orbweaver, alone for 7%.
All 127 spiders of New Jersey →
When are snakes out in New Jersey?
Observation records of snakes in New Jersey run mostly March through October, peaking in May with 23% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so snakes in New Jersey are rarely recorded in winter. Venomous snakes alone have 18 observation records with a month in New Jersey, too few for a season of their own.
When spiders are most active in New Jersey
Observation records of spiders in New Jersey run mostly March through October, peaking in May with 17% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 3% of the records.
Where in New Jersey are snakes recorded most?
Burlington County leads with 150 records (13%), followed by Atlantic County and Cape May County; the top five counties hold 52% of the total. 21 of New Jersey's 21 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington County | 150 | 13.3% |
| 2 | Atlantic County | 134 | 11.9% |
| 3 | Cape May County | 133 | 11.8% |
| 4 | Morris County | 97 | 8.6% |
| 5 | Middlesex County | 74 | 6.6% |
| 6 | Ocean County | 68 | 6.0% |
| 7 | Sussex County | 66 | 5.9% |
| 8 | Bergen County | 58 | 5.2% |
| 9 | Cumberland County | 45 | 4.0% |
| 10 | Monmouth County | 42 | 3.7% |
| 11 | Somerset County | 39 | 3.5% |
| 12 | Mercer County | 38 | 3.4% |
New Jersey county with its own page: Middlesex County.
Are there poisonous snakes in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey has two venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in New Jersey?
Yes. One species is on the New Jersey list: the timber rattlesnake, with 17 licensed records.
Are there copperheads in New Jersey?
Yes. One species is on the New Jersey list: the eastern copperhead, with 10 licensed records.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in New Jersey?
No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for New Jersey under any license.
Are there coral snakes in New Jersey?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for New Jersey under any license.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
New Jersey has 17 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 25th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
New Jersey has 10 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 27th of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Harmless lookalikes in New Jersey
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in New Jersey.
What looks like a copperhead in New Jersey
Copperheads: 10 licensed records in New Jersey. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (219), eastern rat snake (109), eastern milksnake (41), eastern hog-nosed snake (34) and corn snake (3). Together they have 406 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 41 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in New Jersey
No cottonmouths reach the New Jersey list, and GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for New Jersey under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: northern water snake (219).
What looks like a rattlesnake in New Jersey
Rattlesnakes: 17 licensed records in New Jersey. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: pine snake (48) and eastern hog-nosed snake (34). Together they have 82 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 5 times as often.
What looks like a coral snake in New Jersey
No coral snakes reach the New Jersey list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for New Jersey under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern milksnake (41) and scarlet snake (on record).
What looks like a widow spider in New Jersey
Widow spiders: 46 licensed records in New Jersey. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: triangulate bud spider (18), common house spider (17), boreal combfoot (9) and twospotted cobweb spider (8). Together they have 52 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a recluse spider in New Jersey
No recluse spiders reach the New Jersey list, and GBIF holds no recluse spider record for New Jersey under any license, so a spider taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: spitting spider (7) and longbodied cellar spider (6).
How New Jersey compares
By count of venomous snake species, New Jersey ranks 29th of 50 states, level with 7 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Of the three states bordering New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania list more venomous snake species (New Jersey: 2 species; New York 3, Pennsylvania 3, Delaware 1).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in New Jersey: the eastern massasauga (New York and Pennsylvania). The most widely shared is the eastern copperhead, listed in all three bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in New Jersey?
Does New Jersey have black widows?
Yes. Two widow species are on the New Jersey list: the northern black widow (30 records) and the southern black widow (16 records).
Does New Jersey have brown recluse spiders?
No. GBIF holds no brown recluse record for New Jersey under any license.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
New Jersey has 30 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 7th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in New Jersey run mostly March through July, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Cape May County, Monmouth County and Burlington County. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans)
New Jersey has 16 licensed records of the southern black widow, which ranks the state 16th of the 22 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Southern black widow profile.
Are there scorpions in New Jersey?
No. GBIF holds no scorpion record for New Jersey under any license. Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the New Jersey list.
More for New Jersey
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.