New York snakes: ID chart

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

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The 3 venomous snakes come first: Eastern Massasauga, Northern 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 New York. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the New York snakes page for photos, range and sources.

Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

Venomous

There are only two known populations remaining in New York, both of which occur in boggy, forested wetlands

Northern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

Venomous

The copperhead is mainly found along the lower Hudson Valley south of Kingston and scattered through the …

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

Venomous

They are now found in smaller numbers throughout the state with isolated populations in southeastern New …

Common Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis sauritus

Not stated

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Not stated

The water snake is found in and around almost any waterbody or wetland in the state.

Eastern Gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Non-venomous

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Not stated

Eastern Milk Snake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Non-venomous

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Not stated

Found primarily along cliffs and rocky slopes but are absent from most of the Adirondacks

Eastern Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Not stated

A few locations on Long Island and in eastern New York

Northern Black Racer

Coluber constrictor

Not stated

Northern Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Non-venomous

Occur all across New York in appropriate habitat

Northern Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Non-venomous

Occur all across New York in appropriate habitat

Northern Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Non-venomous

Occur all across New York in appropriate habitat

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata

Not stated

The queen snake is limited to a few locations in western New York

Short-headed Gartersnake

Thamnophis brachystoma

Not stated

Smooth Greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis

Non-venomous

Occur all across New York in appropriate habitat

A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Checklist of Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals of New York State, Including Their Legal Status (Tenth revision, February 2019) (NYSDEC Division of Fish and Wildlife); Snakes of New York (Environmental Information Series) (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry); Snakes of New York: A Sampler of Our Most Commonly Seen Species (NYSDEC, reprinted from New York State Conservationist); New York snakes leaflet (lesser-seen species) (NYSDEC, reprinted from New York State Conservationist); Conservationist for Kids: amphibians and reptiles (NYSDEC); Eastern Massasauga (NYSDEC); and others listed on the web page. stateswildlife.com/new-york/snakes/