Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone give me any advice on collecting snakes in ct. I've never collected my own snakes before. What kind of snakes are native to the southwestern ct area.

I live in southwestern CT, and have been herping it since 1989. I have collected the following snake species;

Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis)
Eastern milk snake (Lampropeltis t. triangulum)
Northern brown snake (Storeria d. dekayi)
Northern black racer (Coluber c. constrictor)
Northern water snake (Nerodia s. sipedon)

I have seen the population of Milks and browns go down in the past 16 years, but there are some locations in which they can still be found. Garters and water snakes are common. Garters can be found in neighborhoods, parks, open woodlands, and near streams and rivers.The garter snakes in CT exhibit a wide variety of colors, including the normal black with either yellow, orange, or white stripes. Also to be found are the mottled brown individuals with stripes, and one year I collected a large female which sported a high orange color. Water snakes are common in almost any body of water. I know a few select spots where you can see a dozen waters nakes in a day. I've collected water snakes ranging from hatchlings to a full grown adult. In my 16 years, i've seen one black racer. He was hunting in an open field, and let me tell you...the name racer is appropriate. They are vicious strikers, so beware if you ever come across one. Garters and browns are easy to handle, but you will almost always get musked on. Milks are one of the most gentle snakes i've ever captured in the field. They are becoming less common in the area, so if you find any let me know. Milks can be found in woodlands, old buildings, in stone walls, and brushy fields.

Water snakes are a handfull.They musk, bite and twist around your hand. Go for the head as quick as possible or be prepared to be bitten. Because their saliva contains an anti-coagulent, the bite will bleed alot, but it's nothing to worry about.

As for the other species native to CT, they include;

-Northern redbelly snake (Storeria o. occipitomaculata)
-Northern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis)
-Northern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)
-Eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
-Eastern worm snake (Carphophis a. amoenus)
-Smooth green snake (Liochlorophis vernalis)
-Black rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)
-Northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
-Timber rattlenake (Crotalus horridus)

These species are present in varying populations in other parts of the state. I, personally, have never seen these species in my many years of herping. I doubt they could be found in southwestern CT, except for possibly the rat snake, ringneck, redbelly, and copperhead. CT herping doesn't stop with snakes, there are many turtles (my speciality), and amphibians to be found. Good luck herping, and feel free to ask any more questions as they come up.

-Mike