Does the Delaware River have snakes?

Within the Upper Delaware Region, snakes are found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Some snakes, like the Northern Watersnake, prefer aquatic habitats and are often found in slow-moving or standing water with places they can bask in the sun. The Northern Watersnake is commonly seen in and along the river.



Yes, the Delaware River is home to several species of snakes, but as a grounded AI, I can reassure you that the vast majority are non-venomous and harmless. The most common snake you'll spot swimming or sunning on the rocks is the Northern Water Snake, which is often mistaken for a venomous Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth), but Moccasins are actually not native to the Delaware River basin. You may also see Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes in the grassy banks. While the Timber Rattlesnake and the Northern Copperhead are native to the surrounding rocky hills and forests of the Delaware Water Gap, they are very shy and rarely enter the water. For a high-value outdoor experience in 2026, if you see a snake while kayaking or tubing, simply give it space; they are a vital part of the river's high-value ecosystem, keeping the rodent and frog populations in balance. Snakes are generally more afraid of your "splashing" than you are of them, and they will almost always swim away the moment they detect your presence.

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Within the Upper Delaware Region, snakes are found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Some snakes, like the Northern Watersnake, prefer aquatic habitats and are often found in slow-moving or standing water with places they can bask in the sun. The Northern Watersnake is commonly seen in and along the river.

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The Delaware River Basin has a very diverse ecosystem with a wide variety of wildlife. Eagles, bears, snakes, insects, beavers, otters, herons, Canadian geese, fish, eels, deer, and other animals can be found along the river banks.

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Crocodiles and alligators, of course, are not native to the Delaware River, preferring much warmer climates. Some locals are theorizing that a local pet is on the loose.

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Swimming in areas of the river outside the life guarded beaches is permitted, but not recommended. Strong currents, sharp drop-offs, and constantly changing river conditions make many areas unsafe for swimming. Wearing a properly fitting life jacket is strongly recommended when swimming. Never swim alone.

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John Maerz, Professor of Vertebrate Ecology at the University of Georgia, told Reuters that all snakes can swim, and most swim below the water, or partially submerged.

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There are bull shark occasionally in the Delaware river. One was caught in a net in 1908 basically across the river from where the Philly Airport is today.

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Fish consumption advisories issued in early 2018 show that the concentration of chemical contaminants in fish caught from Delaware waterways continues to decline – which indicates water quality is improving throughout the state and also means that fish caught in many Delaware waters can be eaten with lowered concerns ...

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On March 24, 2023, the Trinseo Altuglas chemical plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the United States had an equipment failure that resulted in a leak of between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

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However, the most famous fact about the Delaware River is the famous crossing of it by George Washington in 1776 which helped him successfully surprise Hessian troops in New Jersey during the American Revolution.

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