Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: There are 15 native snake species in Oregon. Of these, only the Western Rattlesnake has poisonous venom that is dangerous to humans.
This page lists 16 snakes: 15 from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Living with Wildlife: Snakes and ODFW Wildlife Viewing: Snakes and 1 named in other official sources.
1 is venomous by official accounts: Western Rattlesnake. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife gives a total of 15; the 16 here are the snakes official sources name one by one.
Venomous snakes in Oregon
Official sources label these snakes venomous in Oregon. Venomous snakes in Oregon has more on each one.
Usually about 3 to 4 feet; Montana gives 15 to 60 inches and NPS says up to 5 feet. Arizona gives a maximum of 28 to 64 inches (excluding rattle) depending on subspecies; in Colorado it is rarely over 39 inches.
How to recognize it
Rattle (or a button in newborns) at the tail tip
Head much broader than the neck, many small scales on top of the head, heat-sensing pit between eye and nostril
Western Rattlesnake Sensitive – Critical (Willamette Valley)
What the sources say
Venom: “There are 15 native snake species in Oregon. Of these, only the Western Rattlesnake has poisonous venom that is dangerous to humans.” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
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.
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Oregon
They average 20 to 30 inches in length and occur mainly in the Rogue and Umpqua River valleys and the Klamath Basin. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Conservation
California Mountain Kingsnake Sensitive – Vulnerable (range-wide), Protected
Venom: “Garter snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans, though the saliva of a garter snake may be mildly toxic to amphibians and other small animals.” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
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 Oregon
The Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) is found in oak savannas, mixed pine-oak woodlands and brushy areas in the Umpqua and Rogue River valleys. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Conservation
Common Kingsnake Sensitive – Vulnerable (range-wide), Protected
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Oregon
Forest Sharp-tailed Snakes occur in southwest portion of the Oregon, where they select mesic environments and can be found in shaded forest habitats and mixed woodlands. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Photo: National Park Service from USA · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Venom: “Although it is not poisonous, this aggressive behavior leads many to believe that it is a rattlesnake.” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Oregon
The Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata) reaches the northern limits of its distribution in Oregon with known populations along the Owyhee River. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Oregon
The Night Snake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea) lives in rocky areas in eastern Oregon and is rarely seen because it hunts and moves at night. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
The Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) occurs in coastal and mountain forest habitats west of the Cascades. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
What the sources say
Venom: “Garter snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans, though the saliva of a garter snake may be mildly toxic to amphibians and other small animals.” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
The Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus) is found along rivers in the southwestern part of the state, as far north as the Umpqua Valley in Douglas … Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
What the sources say
Venom: “Garter snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans, though the saliva of a garter snake may be mildly toxic to amphibians and other small animals.” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Range: The Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus) is found along rivers in the southwestern part of the state, as far north as the Umpqua Valley in Douglas County.
Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Most adults about 3 to 5 ft. Sources range from 20 to 56 inches (Florida Museum) to 34 to 77 inches (New Jersey); Alabama says some exceed 6 ft.
How to recognize it
Smooth scales
Long and slender with large eyes
White chin
Where in Oregon
The Racer (Coluber constrictor) occurs statewide except along the coast north of Port Orford and the crest of the Cascades. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Usually 8 to 15 inches long; Alabama reports up to about 18 inches, rarely 24. AZGFD gives a maximum of 34 inches for Arizona animals.
How to recognize it
A yellow, cream or orange ring around the neck; it may be incomplete, and some Lower Florida Keys and western Arizona snakes lack it.
Bright yellow to orange or red belly, often with a row of black half-moon spots; the underside of the tail is often red.
Smooth, shiny scales and a small head only slightly wider than the neck.
Where in Oregon
The Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) occurs in the drier parts of southwestern Oregon, the Willamette Valley and the lower Deschutes River Valley and has been … Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
In the Northwest it rarely exceeds about two feet (WDFW). Montana: 14 to 28 inches total length; Yellowstone gives a maximum of 28 inches; Colorado gives a maximum of about 33 inches.
How to recognize it
Thick body, small eyes, tiny scales, and a blunt tail that looks like the head
Loose, wrinkled skin gives a rubbery look and feel
Small, smooth scales, almost velvety to the touch
Where in Oregon
It occurs statewide except along the coast north of Coos Bay, the Cascade crest, a section of the Columbia Gorge and southern Harney County. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Oregon
The Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis) is closely associated with dry habitats such as oak woodland; coniferous and pine forest; and chaparral. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Oregon
The Striped Whipsnake (Coluber taeniatus) is a close relative of the racer, inhabiting brush and grasslands of eastern Oregon up to 7,000 feet elevation. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Photo: Yellowstone National Park · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans) occurs in a wide variety of habitats except along the central and north coastal zones, much of the east slope … Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
What the sources say
Venom: “Garter snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans, though the saliva of a garter snake may be mildly toxic to amphibians and other small animals.” (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Range: The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans) occurs in a wide variety of habitats except along the central and north coastal zones, much of the east slope and crest of the Cascades, and in a small portion of central Oregon.
WDFW: racers have large eyes, large back scales and a tail that tapers to a point; rubber boas have small eyes, tiny scales and a blunt tail. Racers are fast and will strike and bite if cornered or handled; rubber boas are slow and non-aggressive. Yellowstone adds that racers have round pupils.
The bullsnake has no rattle, an oval or rounded head and large round pupils; the prairie rattlesnake has a triangular head, slit pupils and a rattle. Bullsnakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes: when threatened they may coil, flatten the head, hiss and vibrate the tail in dry leaves to sound like a rattle, so do not judge by behavior or by head shape alone.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When snakes are active in Oregon
Records of snakes in Oregon peak in April to August. They show when people record snakes, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
1,703 records of snakes in Oregon by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
Invasive species sightings: Oregon Invasives Hotline, oregoninvasiveshotline.org or 1-866-INVADER; wildlife conflicts: local ODFW office (ODFW main phone 503-947-6000) Oregon Invasives Hotline
What official sources say
Are there rattlesnakes in Oregon?
Yes. The Western Rattlesnake is Oregon's only native rattlesnake (two subspecies: Northern Pacific and Great Basin). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
“The Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is Oregon’s only indigenous rattlesnake. Two sub-species are recognized in Oregon: the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (C. v. oreganus) … and the Great Basin Rattlesnake (C. v. lutosus)”
Are there coral snakes in Oregon?
No. ODFW says California mountain kingsnakes are often killed when mistaken for coral snakes, which are native to the southeastern U.S. and as far west as southern Arizona. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
“These snakes are often killed when people mistakenly think they are venomous coral snakes native to the southeastern U.S. and as far west as southern Arizona.”
About this list
The species list comes from Living with Wildlife: Snakes (ODFW) and ODFW Wildlife Viewing: Snakes (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, undated PDF (uploaded to myodfw.com 2026-01 per file path); as of retrieval 2026-11-03). 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.
Wildlife Viewing. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Living with Wildlife: Snakes. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (15)
“There are 15 native snake species in Oregon. Of these, only the Western Rattlesnake has poisonous venom that is dangerous to humans.”
“Garter snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans, though the saliva of a garter snake may be mildly toxic to amphibians and other small animals.”
“Although it is not poisonous, this aggressive behavior leads many to believe that it is a rattlesnake.”
“While human deaths from rattlesnake bites are rare, a doctor should be consulted immediately as a bite can be lethal.”
“If you encounter a rattlesnake, move away.”
“Wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants.”
“Never attempt to capture a snake.”
“Do not release snakes into the wild—it is illegal under state law ORS 498.052.”
“Emergence from hibernation can begin as early as March, depending on the species, location and weather.”
“Because they are particularly active and less wary during the breeding season, be on the lookout for them in spring.”
“They are most likely to be seen during the spring and fall when moving to and from hibernation sites.”
“Young hatch from July through September and fend for themselves after hatching, although there has been documentation of rattlesnake mothers defending their young for a period after birth.”
“It is most commonly seen during periods when slugs are active in the fall when the ground is wet but before it begins to freeze at night and in the spring before it becomes too dry.”
“The Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is Oregon’s only indigenous rattlesnake. Two sub-species are recognized in Oregon: the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (C. v. oreganus) … and the Great Basin Rattlesnake (C. v. lutosus)”
“These snakes are often killed when people mistakenly think they are venomous coral snakes native to the southeastern U.S. and as far west as southern Arizona.”
Bites & Stings. Oregon Poison Center, Oregon Health & Science University (poison-control program serving Oregon). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“To treat a venomous snake bite, seek medical treatment immediately by calling 9-1-1 or the poison center at 1-800-222-1222.”
Oregon Invasives Hotline. Oregon Invasives Hotline (Oregon Invasive Species Council; "Maintained by Oregon State University"). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Report potential invasive species you've found to the Online Hotline. Your submission will provide vital early detection information to the experts working to stop the next invasion before it starts!”
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