Venomous snakes and spiders in New York
New York has three venomous snake species among the 17 snake species listed there: eastern copperhead, timber rattlesnake and eastern massasauga. The eastern copperhead accounts for the most records (238), and venomous species make up 8% of all 5,992 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, one species is medically significant: northern black widow.
Venomous snakes of New York
New York's venomous snakes are two rattlesnake species and one copperhead or cottonmouth species. Together they account for 464 licensed records; the eastern copperhead alone has 51% of them, and the least recorded, the eastern massasauga, has 19.
Dangerous spiders of New York
One widow species (Northern black widow: 7 records) is on the New York list. There is no recluse spider on the New York 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 York
These eight account for 79% of all licensed snake records in New York; the most recorded, the common garter snake, alone for 39%.
Other spiders recorded most in New York
These eight account for 33% of all licensed spider records in New York; the most recorded, the bold jumper, alone for 6%.
When venomous snakes are out in New York
Observation records of venomous snakes in New York run mostly May through September, peaking in August with 24% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 2% of the records.
Season of each venomous snake
| Species | Main season | Peak month | Winter share | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern copperhead | May through September | August | 1% | 217 |
| Timber rattlesnake | April through September | July | 4% | 148 |
When spiders are most active in New York
Observation records of spiders in New York run mostly April through October, peaking in August with 17% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 2% of the records.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Ulster County has the most records of venomous snakes in New York, 356, most of them of the eastern copperhead. Orange County and Dutchess County follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ulster County | 356 | Eastern copperhead |
| 2 | Orange County | 23 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 3 | Dutchess County | 14 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 4 | Rockland County | 12 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 5 | Chemung County | 5 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 6 | Westchester County | 4 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 7 | Columbia County | 4 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 8 | Ontario County | 4 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 9 | Greene County | 3 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 10 | Allegany County | 3 | Timber rattlesnake |
Where in New York are snakes recorded most?
Ulster County dominates: 30% of the state's licensed snake records come from it alone, and the top five counties hold 55%. 61 of New York's 62 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ulster County | 1,788 | 29.8% |
| 2 | Tompkins County | 842 | 14.1% |
| 3 | Onondaga County | 276 | 4.6% |
| 4 | Broome County | 210 | 3.5% |
| 5 | Chemung County | 177 | 3.0% |
| 6 | Erie County | 149 | 2.5% |
| 7 | Dutchess County | 147 | 2.5% |
| 8 | Monroe County | 147 | 2.5% |
| 9 | Orange County | 139 | 2.3% |
| 10 | Suffolk County | 129 | 2.2% |
| 11 | Cattaraugus County | 129 | 2.2% |
| 12 | Tioga County | 105 | 1.8% |
New York counties with their own page: Nassau County, Onondaga County, Rockland County, Suffolk County, Tompkins County, Ulster County and Westchester County.
Are there poisonous snakes in New York?
Yes. New York has three venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: eastern copperhead, timber rattlesnake and eastern massasauga. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in New York?
Yes. Two species are on the New York list: the timber rattlesnake and the eastern massasauga, with 226 licensed records between them. Most licensed records of the timber rattlesnake come from Ulster County, Orange County and Dutchess County.
Are there copperheads in New York?
Yes. One species is on the New York list: the eastern copperhead, with 238 licensed records. Most licensed records of the eastern copperhead come from Ulster County, Orange County and Rockland County.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in New York?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 1 cottonmouth record of any license in New York (northern cottonmouth 1), fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Treat any snake that looks like a copperhead or cottonmouth as venomous.
Are there coral snakes in New York?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for New York under any license.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
New York has 238 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 7th of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in New York run mostly May through September, peaking in August; most licensed records come from Ulster County, Orange County and Rockland County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
New York has 207 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 4th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in New York run mostly April through September, peaking in July; most licensed records come from Ulster County, Orange County and Dutchess County. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
New York has 19 licensed records of the eastern massasauga, which ranks the state 6th of the 8 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Eastern massasauga profile.
Harmless lookalikes in New York
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 York.
What looks like a copperhead in New York
Copperheads: 238 licensed records in New York. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (903), eastern milksnake (330), eastern rat snake (151) and eastern hog-nosed snake (25). Together they have 1,409 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 6 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in New York
Cottonmouths are not on the New York list, but they are recorded in New York once (records of any license: northern cottonmouth 1): treat any snake like this as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them in the state: northern water snake (903).
What looks like a rattlesnake in New York
Rattlesnakes: 226 licensed records in New York. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern hog-nosed snake (25). It has 25 licensed records, and here the venomous species are the more recorded side, 9.0 to 1.
What looks like a coral snake in New York
No coral snakes reach the New York list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for New York under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern milksnake (330).
What looks like a widow spider in New York
Widow spiders: 7 licensed records in New York. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: triangulate bud spider (54), common house spider (22), boreal combfoot (20) and twospotted cobweb spider (8). Together they have 104 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 15 times as often.
What looks like a recluse spider in New York
Recluse spiders are not on the New York list, but they are recorded in New York once (records of any license: brown recluse 1): treat any spider like this as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them in the state: longbodied cellar spider (48) and spitting spider (18).
How New York compares
By count of venomous snake species, New York ranks 20th of 50 states, level with 8 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
New York lists as many venomous snake species as Pennsylvania, and more than any other state it borders (New York: 3 species; Pennsylvania 3, Connecticut 2, Massachusetts 2, New Jersey 2, Vermont 1).
Every venomous snake listed in a neighboring state is also on the New York list. The most widely shared is the timber rattlesnake, listed in all five bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in New York?
Does New York have black widows?
Yes. One widow species is on the New York list: the northern black widow (7 records).
Does New York have brown recluse spiders?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 1 brown recluse record of any license in New York (brown recluse 1), fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Treat any spider that looks like a recluse as venomous.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
New York has 7 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 15th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Are there scorpions in New York?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 9 scorpion records of any license in New York, fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Of these, nine are under CC0 or CC BY. Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the New York list.
More for New York
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.