Venomous animals in New York
The ones that need the most respect: timber rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 1 dangerous
- 3 medically significant
Where they turn up in New York
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in New York
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous269 records, 19 counties
CopperheadMedically significant317 records, 6 counties
Eastern massasaugaMedically significant24 records, 3 counties
Venomous snakes in New York: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in New York
Venomous spiders in New York: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
Harmless look-alikes in New York
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
Quick answers for New York
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Not here Cottonmouths
- Not here Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in New York?
3 species: Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Eastern massasauga.
Are there brown recluse spiders in New York?
No. GBIF holds 1 isolated record of the brown recluse from New York, far from its range. That is most likely a captive animal or a mislabeled record.
Are there scorpions in New York?
No. There are no open records of native scorpions from the state.
When are venomous animals most active in New York?
Most open records from New York fall in June to August. 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.