Delaware County isn’t the first place you’d think of when contemplating snakes in our midst.

It’s true you won’t find snakes too often in urban areas because there isn’t much here for them, and the destruction of natural habitats has led to a sharp decrease in the diversity of snake species, reports Pet News 2Day.

But Delaware County is home to natural reserves like the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Ridley Creek State Park, Rose Tree Park, and Hildacy Preserve in Media that do provide a home for snakes, amphibians and reptiles.

You’ll find Eastern Garter snakes in the country’s primary tributary, the Delaware River, with 153 reported sightings. The river provides an environment for eight documented species of snake in total.  Dekay’s Brownsnake can also commonly be found at the John Heinz Refuge.

Fortunately, no venomous snakes have ever been documented in the river.

In Pennsylvania, there are 21 reported native species of snakes. Three are venomous—the Eastern Copperhead, the Timber Rattlesnake, and Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. 

They are usually found along river banks and in wetlands but are migrating into fields and forests as food becomes more scarce.

Snakes are generally not malicious and help control the local rodent population if left alone.

See where else snakes can be found throughout our region at Pet News 2Day.