The legend of St. Patrick and the snakes is one of the most famous March 17 stories. According to Irish folklore, the patron saint drove all the snakes out of Ireland during the fifth century. He stood on a hill and commanded them to leave. The serpents slithered into the sea and disappeared.

However, most scientists agree that Ireland never had any snakes at all. There are no signs of snakes in Ireland’s fossil record. After the Last Glacial Period, the Emerald Isle was isolated by the sea before snakes could migrate there. The island’s cold climate was also not ideal for snake population. This made it highly unlikely that there were any snakes for St. Patrick to send on their way.

The snake legend appeared in written records many centuries after St. Patrick lived, which is another reason scholars see it as mythical storytelling. St. Patrick is famous for helping spread Christianity across Ireland, so the legend of “driving out snakes” likely represents the decline of pagan beliefs and the rise of Christianity in Irish culture. Ireland is not the only place in the world without snakes – there are no native species of snakes to be found in Iceland, Greenland, Hawaii, New Zealand, parts of Canada, northern Russia, or, unsurprisingly, Antarctica.

Ireland’s loss is the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s gain, as it is home to many species that thrive elsewhere throughout the world. Coming soon, you will be able to ssssssssstop by and sssssssssee them in our brand-new exhibit Discover Disguises, a celebration of camouflage in nature. Located in the Worlds of Discovery building in Kids Kingdom, it features some snakes that are natural masters of disguise:

• The timber rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in Pennsylvania (although it does not live in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia). This snake hunts by injecting its very toxic venom through their fangs. Zigzag bands on its back breaks up its outline and helps it hide among fallen logs and leaves. The timber rattlesnake plays an important role in controlling rodent populations, which, in turn, helps regulate tick populations – very important in keeping Lyme disease in check.
• The northern copperhead is another Pennsylvania native. The hourglass-shaped bands on its back help to break up its body outline, disguising it against the ruddy earth. Almost impossible to spot against fallen leaves or clay dirt, this venomous snake avoids conflict as much as possible. It freezes when startled and often gets trampled mistakenly. It vibrates its tail as a defense, despite having no rattle, imitating its rattlesnake relative.
• The Rhinoceros rat snake is a perfect St. Patrick’s Day ambassador! This vivid green snake hides among the treetops of Vietnam and hunts rodents and birds. Young snakes are gray and turn green as they age to camouflage within the rainforest. It is not known why these animals have a unique horn on their nose. One possibility is to make it look even more like a leaf, perhaps even among shamrocks…

Want to keep coming back to see snakes and all our amazing animals for a whole year? Lucky for you, all Pittsburgh Zoo Memberships will be on sale for $10 off, March 17 to 22, 2026. Use promo code LUCKYZOO at checkout to save. Whether you are renewing, joining, or gifting a membership to someone else, now is a great time to take advantage! To purchase, visit our Membership page.