Oregon snakes: ID chart
16 snakes, 1 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.
The venomous snake comes first: Western 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 Oregon. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the Oregon snakes page for photos, range and sources.
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Venomous
The Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is Oregon’s only indigenous rattlesnake.
California Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata
Not stated
They average 20 to 30 inches in length and occur mainly in the Rogue and Umpqua River valleys and the Klamath …
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Non-venomous
The Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is the most widespread and frequently encountered snake in …
Common Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Not stated
The Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) is found in oak savannas, mixed pine-oak woodlands and brushy …
Forest Sharp-tailed Snake
Not stated
Forest Sharp-tailed Snakes occur in southwest portion of the Oregon, where they select mesic environments and …
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Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Non-venomous
The Gopher Snake is found statewide except along the coast and above 6,000 feet in the Cascades.
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Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata
Not stated
The Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata) reaches the northern limits of its distribution in Oregon with known …
Night Snake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
Not stated
The Night Snake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea) lives in rocky areas in eastern Oregon and is rarely seen because it …
Northwestern Garter Snake
Thamnophis ordinoides
Non-venomous
The Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) occurs in coastal and mountain forest habitats west of …
Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus
Non-venomous
The Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus) is found along rivers in the southwestern part of …
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Racer
Coluber constrictor
Not stated
The Racer (Coluber constrictor) occurs statewide except along the coast north of Port Orford and the crest of …
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Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Not stated
The Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) occurs in the drier parts of southwestern Oregon, the Willamette …
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Rubber Boa
Charina bottae
Not stated
It occurs statewide except along the coast north of Coos Bay, the Cascade crest, a section of the Columbia …
Sharp-tailed Snake
Contia tenuis
Not stated
The Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis) is closely associated with dry habitats such as oak woodland …
Striped Whipsnake
Coluber taeniatus
Not stated
The Striped Whipsnake (Coluber taeniatus) is a close relative of the racer, inhabiting brush and grasslands …
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Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
Non-venomous
The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans) occurs in a wide variety of habitats except along …
A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Living with Wildlife: Snakes (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife); Forest Sharp-tailed Snake (ODFW Wildlife Viewing) (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife). stateswildlife.com/oregon/snakes/