Venomous animals in New Jersey

Venomous species living here
32 venomous snakes, 1 venomous spider

The ones that need the most respect: timber rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.

Dangerous: 1Medically significant: 2
  • 1 dangerous
  • 2 medically significant
Venomous snakes
2
Venomous spiders
1
Scorpions
0
Centipedes
0
Open records
196
Counties with any record
14

Where they turn up in New Jersey

Cumberland: Black widowWarren: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeOcean: Black widowBergen: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeMiddlesex: Black widowAtlantic: Black widowBurlington: Black widow, Timber rattlesnakeCape May: Black widowEssex: CopperheadMonmouth: Black widow, Timber rattlesnakeSussex: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeCamden: Black widowSalem: CopperheadGloucester: Black widow
Number of venomous species with open GBIF records in each county. Blank counties often mean nobody has posted a record yet, not that nothing lives there.

Venomous snakes in New Jersey

Venomous snakes in New Jersey: map, photos and look-alikes

Venomous spiders in New Jersey

Venomous spiders in New Jersey: map, photos and look-alikes

When they are out

JanFebMar: 2 records (spider)MarApr: 4 records (spider)AprMay: 3 records (venomous snake)May: 14 records (spider)MayJun: 8 records (venomous snake)Jun: 6 records (spider)JunJul: 3 records (venomous snake)Jul: 7 records (spider)JulAug: 4 records (venomous snake)Aug: 3 records (spider)AugSep: 5 records (venomous snake)Sep: 5 records (spider)SepOct: 2 records (venomous snake)Oct: 5 records (spider)OctNovDec
Open records by month; most fall in May to July, September. People record animals when they are outdoors too, so winter looks quieter than it may be.

Harmless look-alikes in New Jersey

Quick answers for New Jersey

Questions

How many venomous snakes live in New Jersey?

2 species: Timber rattlesnake and Copperhead.

Are there brown recluse spiders in New Jersey?

No. There are no open records of the brown recluse from New Jersey, and the state is outside its range.

Are there scorpions in New Jersey?

No. There are no open records of native scorpions from the state.

When are venomous animals most active in New Jersey?

Most open records from New Jersey fall in May to July, September. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.

What should I do after a bite or sting?

Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.

Neighboring states