The 4 Most Snake-Infested Rivers in Massachusetts

Key Points

• Massachusetts is home to 14 forms of snakes, with solely the timber rattlesnake and the northern copperhead thought-about venomous.
• All wetlands are hotspots of exercise for wildlife, which attracts snakes.
• Several of the snakes within the state hunt in rivers and different our bodies of water for fish and amphibians.

With over 8,000 miles of rivers of all descriptions, Massachusetts has its fair proportion of habitat that’s inviting to snakes. And they embrace plenty of the Bay State’s waterways.

‘All Snakes Can Swim’

The presence of snakes in Massachusetts rivers is prone to differ relying on climate situations and close by wildlife exercise. There are, nonetheless, some issues that might be fixed by way of what attracts snakes to any physique of water, together with rivers.

Rick Roth, director of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team in Gloucester, Mass. spoke to A-Z Animals about these variables.

With solely 14 forms of snakes present in Massachusetts, “we’re not considered snake country here,” Roth mentioned. While these snakes don’t require a river habitat, “just about all of them use it.” One cause, he famous is that “all snakes can swim.”

What Makes a River Desirable to a Snake?

Snakes, which have to depend on exterior elements to control their physique temperatures, might be interested in a river if they should quiet down or drink water throughout drought situations.

But the largest cause snakes will enter a river is to search for meals.

“Wetlands are hotspots of activity for wildlife,” Roth mentioned. “The more wildlife in a river means more animals will be there who eat that wildlife.”

Many rivers in Massachusetts include considerable numbers of fish and frogs, and snakes “will certainly make good use of that habitat,” Roth informed us.

“We’ve got water snakes, black racers, garter snakes, and ribbon snakes that eat one or both of those,” he added.

None of the forms of snakes within the state are thought-about absolutely aquatic. And that features water snakes. They have that identify, Roth famous, “not because they live in the water, but because they live near the water. That’s where their food is,” he defined.

Even snakes that take pleasure in feasting on small mammals greater than fish, such because the black rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), might be present in river habitats which can be additionally utilized by rodents.

With that data in thoughts, which rivers on this state are you probably to be sharing with snakes?

Ipswich River

The Ipswich River, which runs throughout the state for 45 miles from Burlington to Ipswich, incorporates an abundance of fish and shellfish.

Even our herpetologist says that the Ipswich is an excellent place to seek out water snakes!

Recreation alternatives in and across the versatile waterway embrace canoeing, fishing, chook watching, and miles of nature trails. The Ipswich river additionally offers consuming water to 330,000 residents in 15 communities.

Taunton River

Unique in being the one main river within the area that flows freely, with out an obstruction or dam. The Taunton runs for 40 miles from its headwaters in Bridgewater to fulfill up with the Quequechan River in Fall River.

What makes the Taunton River so engaging to snakes is that it’s a wonderful home for fish. The river is a prize nursery habitat for winter flounder and tautog. It’s additionally home to a springtime herring run, wherein thousands and thousands of herring swim upstream again to their birthplace to spawn. During the height of the run, you possibly can see 1000’s of herring each hour.

Connecticut River

The Connecticut is the longest river in Massachusetts, working from its northern to southern borders. It can also be home to all kinds of salamanders and frogs.

The frequent mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a salamander launched into the river method again in 1936. Salamanders are a favourite meals of the garter snake!

Another inhabitant of the Connecticut River is the Eastern spadefoot frog (Scaphiopus holbrookii). Although thought-about threatened, it may be discovered all through most of this mighty river, which flows from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound.

Assabet River

The Bay State can also be home to the wonderful Assabet River that flows for 35 miles. It begins within the swampy Assabet Reservoir and ends the place it meets the Sudbury River in Concord, Massachusetts.

This river flows by the two,357-acre Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge — home to quite a few forms of frogs and salamanders that snakes like to eat.

The Most Feared Reptile

The concern of snakes, known as ophidiophobia, is quite common. A recent ballot discovered that three out of 10 adults within the U.S. have a major dread of those reptiles.

Roth says that “for the most part, snakes don’t want to have anything to do with you.”

The naturalist, who has been searching for snakes since he was 5, says, “Around here, it’s almost impossible to have a bad encounter (with a snake) unless you initiate it.

“I’ve never been chased by a snake or bitten by one that I didn’t pick up,” he provides.

List of Snakes present in Massachusetts