Encountering a large black snake in New Jersey can cause alarm, but the fear is usually disproportionate to the actual danger. The majority of snakes found throughout the Garden State are entirely harmless to humans and play a beneficial role in the local ecosystem. This guide provides information to accurately identify common black snakes and understand the minimal risk they pose.
The True Venomous Snakes of New Jersey
Public discussion often misuses the term “poisonous” when the correct biological term is “venomous.” A snake is poisonous if its toxins cause harm when ingested or absorbed. A snake is venomous if it actively injects toxins, typically through a bite using specialized fangs. All medically significant snakes in New Jersey are venomous.
New Jersey is home to only two species of venomous snakes: the Timber Rattlesnake and the Northern Copperhead. The Copperhead is generally light brown or reddish with a distinct hourglass-shaped pattern, making it rarely confused with a solid black snake. The Timber Rattlesnake can occasionally be found in a dark “black phase,” particularly in the northern part of the state or the Pinelands. Even in this dark form, the Timber Rattlesnake retains distinct features, including a characteristic rattle at the tail’s blunt end and a solid black section just before the rattle. Both species are uncommon, hold protected status in the state, and encounters are rare.
Identifying the Common Non-Venomous Black Snakes
The vast majority of black snakes encountered are the non-venomous Northern Black Racer or the Eastern Rat Snake. Adults of both species are a uniform matte or glossy black, often sporting a white chin and throat. Distinguishing these beneficial species requires observing their build, scales, and behavior. Both are important predators of rodents, but they have distinct styles of movement and defense.
Eastern Rat Snake
The Eastern Rat Snake, sometimes called the Black Rat Snake, is New Jersey’s largest snake, capable of reaching lengths over six feet. It has a noticeably bulky body. Its scales are weakly keeled, meaning they have a slight ridge down the center, giving the snake a slightly duller appearance compared to the Racer. This species is an excellent climber and is often found high off the ground in trees.
Northern Black Racer
The Northern Black Racer is generally longer and more slender than the Rat Snake, living up to its name with exceptional speed. It has smooth scales that give it a sleeker, glossy black appearance. When threatened, the Racer is known to be actively defensive, often vibrating its tail rapidly in dry leaves to mimic a rattlesnake sound. Unlike the Rat Snake, which often freezes when confronted, the Racer’s first reaction is typically to escape quickly.
Safe Encounters and Ecological Role
If you encounter any snake, the safest course of action is to leave it alone and maintain a respectful distance. Most snakes flee quickly when they sense human presence, and bites almost always occur when a person attempts to harass, handle, or kill the animal. When hiking, stay on marked trails and look carefully before reaching into brush, woodpiles, or rock walls where snakes might be resting.
These non-venomous black snakes play a significant role in maintaining a healthy environment, primarily by controlling populations of rodents and other small mammals. A large black snake near a home often indicates a nearby food source. If a snake is in a location where it poses a risk to itself or others, professional assistance is recommended for relocation. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) maintains a hotline for confirmed venomous snake sightings, but non-venomous snakes are best left to move on naturally.