Delaware snakes: ID chart

19 snakes, 1 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.

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The venomous snake comes first: Eastern Copperhead. The rest follow from A to Z, each with a photo where we have one and a short note on where it lives in Delaware. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the Delaware snakes page for photos, range and sources.

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

Venomous

Only in southern Sussex County and near Wilmington (DNREC); the Philadelphia Poison Control Center says all …

Black Racer

Coluber constrictor

Non-venomous

Statewide (one of the four snakes you are likely to encounter)

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis

Non-venomous

Statewide; found in 69% of the 260 atlas blocks

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon sipedon

Non-venomous

Dekay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Non-venomous

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Non-venomous

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Non-venomous

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Non-venomous

Eastern Rat Snake

Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta

Non-venomous

Statewide (one of the four snakes you are likely to encounter)

Eastern Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis saurita

Non-venomous

Observed mostly along the coast (2018-2023 atlas)

Eastern Worm Snake

Carphophis amoenus amoenus

Non-venomous

Recorded at Bombay Hook NWR (Kent County); no statewide range statement found

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Non-venomous

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata

Non-venomous

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Non-venomous

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Non-venomous

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Non-venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Non-venomous

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Non-venomous

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Non-venomous

A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Snakes to Watch Out For (Outdoor Delaware) (DNREC); Gone Herpin' - DNREC Catalogs Delaware's Reptiles and Amphibians (Outdoor Delaware) (DNREC); Amphibians and Reptiles (2025-2035 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan) (DNREC); Update and Revision of Delaware's SGCN List (DNREC); Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Amphibians and Reptiles (US Fish and Wildlife Service). stateswildlife.com/delaware/snakes/