Venomous snakes and spiders in Delaware
Delaware has one venomous snake species among the 14 snake species listed there: eastern copperhead. The eastern copperhead accounts for the most records (17), and venomous species make up 3% of all 674 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, two species are medically significant: southern black widow and northern black widow.
Venomous snakes of Delaware
The only venomous snake on the Delaware list is the eastern copperhead, with 17 licensed records, 3% of all snake records in the state.
Dangerous spiders of Delaware
Two widow species (Southern black widow: 84 records, Northern black widow: 19 records) are on the Delaware list. There is no recluse spider on the Delaware list: no recluse species reaches 10 records in the state. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Other snakes recorded most in Delaware
These eight account for 90% of all licensed snake records in Delaware; the most recorded, the northern water snake, alone for 39%.
Other spiders recorded most in Delaware
These eight account for 36% of all licensed spider records in Delaware; the most recorded, the black-and-yellow argiope, alone for 7%.
When are snakes out in Delaware?
Observation records of snakes in Delaware run mostly March through September, peaking in May with 24% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 3% of the records. Venomous snakes alone have no observation records with a month in Delaware, too few for a season of their own.
When spiders are most active in Delaware
Observation records of spiders in Delaware run mostly April through November, peaking in July with 17% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 2% of the records.
Where in Delaware are snakes recorded most?
Sussex County dominates: 62% of the state's licensed snake records come from it alone, and the top five counties hold 100%. 3 of Delaware's 3 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sussex County | 417 | 61.9% |
| 2 | New Castle County | 137 | 20.3% |
| 3 | Kent County | 120 | 17.8% |
Delaware county with its own page: Sussex County.
Are there poisonous snakes in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware has one venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: eastern copperhead. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Delaware?
No. GBIF holds no rattlesnake record for Delaware under any license.
Are there copperheads in Delaware?
Yes. One species is on the Delaware list: the eastern copperhead, with 17 licensed records.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Delaware?
No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Delaware under any license.
Are there coral snakes in Delaware?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for Delaware under any license.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Delaware has 17 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 25th of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Delaware
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in Delaware.
What looks like a copperhead in Delaware
Copperheads: 17 licensed records in Delaware. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (262), eastern rat snake (77), eastern hog-nosed snake (13) and eastern milksnake (13). Together they have 365 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 21 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in Delaware
No cottonmouths reach the Delaware list, and GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Delaware under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: northern water snake (262).
What looks like a rattlesnake in Delaware
No rattlesnakes reach the Delaware list, and GBIF holds no rattlesnake record for Delaware under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern hog-nosed snake (13).
What looks like a coral snake in Delaware
No coral snakes reach the Delaware list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Delaware under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern milksnake (13).
What looks like a widow spider in Delaware
Widow spiders: 103 licensed records in Delaware. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: triangulate bud spider (36) and common house spider (11). Together they have 47 licensed records, and here the venomous species are the more recorded side, 2.2 to 1.
What looks like a recluse spider in Delaware
No recluse spiders reach the Delaware list, and GBIF holds no recluse spider record for Delaware under any license, so a spider taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: longbodied cellar spider (5).
How Delaware compares
By count of venomous snake species, Delaware ranks 37th of 50 states, level with 8 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Every state bordering Delaware lists more venomous snake species (Delaware: 1 species; Pennsylvania 3, Maryland 2, New Jersey 2).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Delaware: the timber rattlesnake (Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania); the eastern massasauga (Pennsylvania). The most widely shared is the eastern copperhead, listed in all three bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Delaware?
Does Delaware have black widows?
Yes. Two widow species are on the Delaware list: the southern black widow (84 records) and the northern black widow (19 records).
Does Delaware have brown recluse spiders?
No. GBIF holds no brown recluse record for Delaware under any license.
Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Delaware has 84 licensed records of the southern black widow, which ranks the state 2nd of the 22 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Delaware run mostly May through October, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Sussex County and Kent County. Range in other states and photos: Southern black widow profile.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Delaware has 19 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 9th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Are there scorpions in Delaware?
No. GBIF holds no scorpion record for Delaware under any license. Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Delaware list.
More for Delaware
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.