Maryland snakes: ID chart

26 snakes, 2 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.

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The 2 venomous snakes come first: Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake. The rest follow from A to Z, each with a photo where we have one and a short note on where it lives in Maryland. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the Maryland snakes page for photos, range and sources.

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

Venomous

Eastern Copperheads are found throughout Maryland with the exception of several counties on the Eastern Shore.

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

Venomous

Exclusively a western Maryland species, from Frederick to Garrett County, although historical records place …

Central Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Non-venomous

One of our most common snakes, it is found statewide.

Common Gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Non-venomous

Statewide.

Common Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Non-venomous

Found only on the Coastal Plain.

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Non-venomous

This snake is found commonly throughout Maryland.

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Non-venomous

Found statewide except for the Allegheny Plateau of western Maryland.

DeKay’s Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Non-venomous

Found throughout Maryland including urban areas.

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Non-venomous

Can be found statewide but more abundant on the Coastal Plain.

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Non-venomous

Primarily a Coastal Plain species but will follow river valleys onto the Piedmont.

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Non-venomous

Found from the Fall Line (roughly I-95) west through the Piedmont and mountain regions.

Eastern Pinesnake

Pituophis melanoleucus

Non-venomous

Possibly only found on the Coastal Plain of the Eastern Shore and Anne Arundel County.

Eastern Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis saurita

Non-venomous

Found statewide but less common in western Maryland.

Eastern Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae valeriae

Non-venomous

Found primarily on the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont regions.

Mountain Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae pulchra

Non-venomous

Found only in western Garrett County. This snake is listed as state Endangered …

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Non-venomous

Statewide.

Northern Mole Kingsnake

Lampropeltis rhombomaculata

Not stated

Found only on the western shore of the Coastal Plain and adjacent Piedmont counties.

Northern Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii

Non-venomous

Ring-necked snakes can be found throughout Maryland.

Northern Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Non-venomous

Primarily a Coastal Plain species but has been known to follow river valleys west of the Fall Line into …

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Non-venomous

Found only on the Lower Eastern Shore.

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata

Non-venomous

Most commonly found in the Piedmont and western Maryland, with a few historical sightings reported from the …

Rainbow Snake

Farancia erytrogramma

Not stated

Found infrequently on the western portion of the Coastal Plain and possibly in the Potomac valley into …

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Non-venomous

Primarily found on the Coastal Plain but there are few records for the Ridge and Valley region of Washington …

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Non-venomous

Irregular distribution throughout the state; uncommon on the Coastal Plain.

Smooth Greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis

Non-venomous

Found in western Maryland, from Frederick County to Garrett County.

Southern Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus punctatus

Non-venomous

Ring-necked snakes can be found throughout Maryland.

A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: The Reptiles and Amphibians of Maryland (Maryland Herp Checklist) (DNR); Common Watersnake (DNR field guide species page) (DNR); Plain-bellied Watersnake (DNR field guide species page) (DNR); Queensnake (DNR field guide species page) (DNR); Smooth Earthsnake (DNR field guide species page) (DNR); Mountain Earthsnake (DNR field guide species page) (DNR); and others listed on the web page. stateswildlife.com/maryland/snakes/