This page lists 26 snakes: 25 from DNR's Reptiles and Amphibians of Maryland and 1 named in other official sources.
2 are venomous by official accounts: Eastern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake. DNR gives a total of 25; the 26 here are the snakes official sources name one by one.
“Both of these species are dangerously venomous and should be treated with caution. Do not approach or handle these snakes as a bite could be fatal.” DNR
Size
Adults usually about 2 to 3 feet (24-36 in); record about 53 inches.
How to recognize it
Vertical (cat-like) pupils and a heat-sensing pit between eye and nostril
Heavy-bodied; keeled scales
Head shape alone is not a reliable way to identify copperheads
Where in Maryland
Eastern Copperheads are found throughout Maryland with the exception of several counties on the Eastern Shore. DNR
JFMAMJJASOND
52 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Warning: this species is venomous!” (DNR)
Habitat: This is a snake of forests, old fields, swamps, dry sandy ridges adjacent to swamps, and agricultural fields adjacent to forests. (DNR)
“Both of these species are dangerously venomous and should be treated with caution. Do not approach or handle these snakes as a bite could be fatal.” DNR
Size
Most adults 36 to 60 inches (3 to 5 feet); record 74.5 inches.
How to recognize it
Black tail ending in a rattle
Heat-sensing pit between nostril and eye
Large, thick head distinct from the neck; cat-like vertical pupil
Where in Maryland
Exclusively a western Maryland species, from Frederick to Garrett County, although historical records place these snakes east to the Susquehanna River. DNR
Conservation
State Watchlist (DNR herp checklist); RTE list Dec 2025: G4 S3
What the sources say
Venom: “Warning – this is a venomous snake.” (DNR)
Habitat: Prefer upland forested areas with rocky outcrops and talus slopes. (DNR)
From A to Z. "Not stated" means no official source we use gives a venom status, not that the snake is harmless. Some harmless snakes mimic venomous ones: leave every snake alone.
One of our most common snakes, it is found statewide. DNR
JFMAMJJASOND
454 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Non-venomous, but readily give a painful bite when handled.” (DNR)
Habitat: Occur in a variety of habitats including farmlands, hardwood forests, forested wetlands, isolated urban woodlots and backyards. They do especially well in edge habitats. An arboreal species they are notorious for getting into human residences, where they may live in attics undetected. (DNR)
Venom: “Non-venomous, though a few allergic reactions to bites have been reported.” (DNR)
Habitat: Common in a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, old fields, riparian areas, freshwater marshes, ditches and backyards. Some source of moisture is usually nearby. (DNR)
Most adults are about 36-48 inches. Maryland gives a record of 82 inches; Alabama gives up to 6.9 feet.
How to recognize it
Smooth, shiny scales and an indistinct neck.
Round pupil.
Florida Museum counts 19-32 crossbands in Florida; Alabama counts 23 to 52.
Where in Maryland
Primarily a Coastal Plain species but will follow river valleys onto the Piedmont. DNR
What the sources say
Habitat: Use a variety of habitats including most forest types, old fields, freshwater marshes, stream banks and borders of swamps. Can be found in agricultural and urban areas within riparian zones. (DNR)
Eastern milksnake 24 to 52 inches (Alabama); TN gives 24 to 36 inches for eastern and 21 to 28 for red milksnake.
How to recognize it
Eastern milksnake: black-and-white checkerboard belly (Ohio). Western milksnake in Louisiana: underside dull white with scattered black marks.
Eastern milksnake: a light Y- or V-shaped mark is usually present on the nape
Smooth, shiny scales and round pupils
Where in Maryland
Found from the Fall Line (roughly I-95) west through the Piedmont and mountain regions. DNR
JFMAMJJASOND
39 records by month.What the sources say
Habitat: Will utilize a variety of habitats. In higher elevations may be found in deciduous and mixed forests, grassy hillsides, and rocky outcrops. In lower elevations, they prefer wooded areas, open fields, powerline rights-of-way, and around human habitation. (DNR)
Most adults are 48 to 66 inches long. The Florida Museum gives a record of 90 inches; Alabama gives a maximum of 83 inches for the northern and 74 inches for the black subspecies. New Jersey gives 48 to 100 inches.
How to recognize it
Pointed snout covered by a large, triangular, cone-shaped scale, used for pushing into soft earth.
Strongly keeled (ridged) body scales and round pupils.
Four prefrontal scales between and just in front of the eyes, where most similar snakes have two.
Where in Maryland
Possibly only found on the Coastal Plain of the Eastern Shore and Anne Arundel County. DNR
Conservation
Historic (DNR field guide); DNR species page: "Currently listed as Endangered Extirpated in Maryland"; RTE list Dec 2025: G4 SH
What the sources say
Habitat: Flat sandy pine barrens and sand ridges, usually in or near pine woods. (DNR)
Eastern: most adults 18 to 26 inches (record 41 inches). Western: 16 to 42 inches in Louisiana; Oklahoma's orange-striped ribbonsnakes average 20 to 30 inches and can reach nearly 40.
How to recognize it
Very slender body; long tail, about one-third of total length.
Side stripes sit on the 3rd and 4th scale rows above the belly.
Upper lip scales white and unmarked; a distinct white spot in front of each eye; keeled (ridged) scales.
Where in Maryland
Found statewide but less common in western Maryland. DNR
What the sources say
Venom: “Non-venomous, but difficult to handle due to its nervous nature.” (DNR)
Habitat: This is a semi-aquatic species, typically found in or near streams, ponds, bogs, swamps, fresh and brackish marshes, and woodlands adjacent to wetlands. (DNR)
Found primarily on the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont regions. DNR
What the sources say
Habitat: Old fields adjacent to deciduous woodlands, trails and dirt roadways through woodlands, any forest type, pastures, urban and suburban woodlots. (DNR)
Found only in western Garrett County. This snake is listed as state Endangered. If found, please report sightings to the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service. DNR
Conservation
State Endangered (DNR herp checklist); RTE list Dec 2025: G5T3T4 S1S2, State Endangered
What the sources say
Habitat: Prefers rich wooded areas with water nearby and loose, often sandy, soil. Grassy slopes with rock cover also used. (DNR)
Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Venom: “Non-venomous, but the bite can be painful.” (DNR)
Habitat: Dry open grassy areas or open forest adjacent to grassy areas. They can also be found in urban, suburban and agricultural areas, and on barrier islands. (DNR)
Ring-necked snakes can be found throughout Maryland. DNR
What the sources say
Habitat: Primarily found in hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, but will also occur in agricultural lands next to woodlots and backyards. Usually found associated with moisture. (DNR)
Most adults are 14 to 33 inches long (Florida Museum), with a record of 46 inches. Maryland, Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas give 22 to 32 inches. The tail is long and thin, about a third or more of the total length.
How to recognize it
Keeled (ridged) scales in 17 rows, which feel rough; the smooth green snake has smooth scales.
Extremely long, thin tail and round pupils.
Large eyes.
Where in Maryland
Primarily a Coastal Plain species but has been known to follow river valleys west of the Fall Line into Montgomery County. DNR
JFMAMJJASOND
75 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Gentle when handled and non-venomous.” (DNR)
Habitat: An arboreal species, it is found in association with shrubs and vines in riparian areas, particularly in areas with sandy soils. They also occur in hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, old fields, suburban lawns, coastal shrub thickets and the wrack zone of barrier islands. Found primarily on the coastal plain. (DNR)
State Watchlist (DNR herp checklist); RTE list Dec 2025: G5 S2S3
What the sources say
Habitat: Forested riparian areas, particularly Atlantic White-cedar and Baldcypress Swamps, and shrub swamps, from brackish to tidal fresh waters of coastal plain rivers. May travel considerable distances from water during humid periods of mid-summer. All records are from the lower Eastern Shore where it may be locally common, though rarely seen. (DNR)
Most commonly found in the Piedmont and western Maryland, with a few historical sightings reported from the northern Coastal Plain. DNR
What the sources say
Habitat: Found in or near clear water, bogs and other freshwater shallow wetlands, small spring-fed streams, ponds or lakes. There will be crayfish. (DNR)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Maryland
Found infrequently on the western portion of the Coastal Plain and possibly in the Potomac valley into Montgomery County. DNR
Conservation
State Endangered (DNR herp checklist); RTE list Dec 2025: G4 S1, State Endangered
What the sources say
Habitat: This is a highly aquatic species, preferring swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They tolerate brackish water. They will also be found on dry land, burrowing in moist soil, muck or a sandy substrate. (DNR)
Ring-necked snakes can be found throughout Maryland. DNR
What the sources say
Habitat: Primarily found in hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, but will also occur in agricultural lands next to woodlots and backyards. Usually found associated with moisture. (DNR)
Snakes people confuse
Northern watersnake or Copperhead?
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Florida Museum (midland watersnake): the watersnake's crossbands are darker, narrower and much more numerous than a copperhead's and turn into blotches halfway down the body. Watersnakes have round pupils and dark vertical lines near the mouth; copperheads have no such lines.
Copperheads have bold hourglass-shaped bands, and young copperheads under about 12 inches have bright yellow tail tips. Brown snakes have small spots, not hourglass bands.
Brown Snake (Dekay's Brownsnake) or Red-bellied Snake?
Missouri: red-bellied snakes are sometimes mistaken for young copperheads. Copperheads are stout-bodied with hourglass-shaped markings on the back, vertical pupils, a sensory pit between each nostril and eye and, sometimes, especially in young copperheads, a yellow tail tip.
Massachusetts: look at the neck; the wormsnake has no constriction between the head and body. Connecticut also lists it as confused with the redbelly snake.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When snakes are active in Maryland
Records of snakes in Maryland peak in April to June and September. They show when people record snakes, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2,041 records of snakes in Maryland by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
Timber Rattlesnake: day-active in spring and fall, night-active in summer, most active in spring after hibernation. DNR
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake: look along edges in late spring and summer. DNR
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from DNR:
If bitten by a venomous snake, immediately contact the Maryland Poison Center at 800-222-1222 (open 24 hours). DNR
Leave snakes alone; many bites occur when people try to capture or kill venomous snakes. DNR
Copperhead and timber rattlesnake should not be approached or handled. DNR
Snake bites are serious and need expert evaluation; Maryland Poison Control receives about 100 snake bite cases a year. DNR
How to report
Nuisance, injured or sick wildlife: call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497 (USDA Wildlife Services, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays); from outside Maryland 410-349-8055. DNR
Yes. DNR names two snakes with medically significant venom: the eastern copperhead and timber rattlesnake. DNR
“Several of Maryland’s snakes possess venom, but only the copperhead and the timber rattlesnake have medically significant venom known to cause adverse reactions in humans.”
Are there rattlesnakes in Maryland?
Yes. Timber Rattlesnake, in western Maryland from Frederick to Garrett County. DNR
“Exclusively a western Maryland species, from Frederick to Garrett County, although historical records place these snakes east to the Susquehanna River.”
Are there water moccasins or cottonmouths in Maryland?
No. DNR says water moccasins do not occur in Maryland; common watersnakes are often mistaken for them. DNR
“Often mistaken for ‘water moccasins’ which do not occur in Maryland.”
Are there coral snakes in Maryland?
Not on the official list. The Eastern Coral Snake is not on the DNR herp checklist. DNR notes that the non-venomous Scarletsnake mimics it. No DNR sentence directly says coral snakes are absent. DNR
“Mimics the color and pattern of the venomous Eastern Coral Snake, however this non-venomous species has black separating the narrow yellow (sometimes white) blotches and broad red blotches”
Are there snakeheads in Maryland?
Yes. DNR lists Northern Snakehead as invasive in Central, Southern and Eastern regions. DNR
“Northern Snakehead Channa argus Stream, River, Pond, and Lake; Bay and Ocean Central; Southern; Eastern”
About this list
The species list comes from The Reptiles and Amphibians of Maryland (Maryland Herp Checklist) (Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), undated; "Taxonomy based on Nicholson 2025"; Internet Archive capture 2026-05-14). 1 more entry comes from other official sources named on each card.
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
“Mimics the color and pattern of the venomous Eastern Coral Snake, however this non-venomous species has black separating the narrow yellow (sometimes white) blotches and broad red blotches”
“Diurnal during the spring and fall, nocturnal during summer to avoid the heat. Most active in the spring following hibernation.”
“Exclusively a western Maryland species, from Frederick to Garrett County, although historical records place these snakes east to the Susquehanna River.”
“Easily confused with a juvenile Eastern Ratsnake”
Venomous Snakes of Maryland. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). archived copy, captured May 15, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Archived copy. Quoted passages (6)
“If bitten by a venomous snake, immediately contact the Maryland Poison Center at 800-222-1222. The Maryland Poison Center is open 24 hours a day”
“Never handle venomous snakes, alive or dead.”
“Leave snakes alone. Many bites occur when people attempt to capture or kill venomous snakes.”
“Both of Maryland’s pit vipers should be treated with caution and should not be approached or handled.”
“On average, Maryland Poison Control receives 100 snake bite cases each year, about half of which are due to bites from venomous snakes, mostly copperhead bites. Snake bites are serious and require expert evaluation and treatment.”
“Several of Maryland’s snakes possess venom, but only the copperhead and the timber rattlesnake have medically significant venom known to cause adverse reactions in humans.”
Wildlife Problems. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). archived copy, captured August 29, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Archived copy. Quoted passages (1)
“To report nuisance, injured or sick wildlife, call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497.”
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