Rhode Island wildlife: what lives here and what is dangerous
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
No venomous snake is known to live in Rhode Island today. The timber rattlesnake, labelled venomous by official sources, is listed as extirpated. This guide covers 8 animal groups from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Division of Fish & Wildlife lists and other official sources, with photos, venomous status and when each group is active.
Identification help has limits: a photo cannot confirm that an animal is safe. Watch from a distance and never handle a wild animal.
These are the animals official sources describe as venomous or as a risk to people in Rhode Island, across 6 groups. The reason is given in the source's own terms.
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
Rabies Vector Species, as DEM classifies the group: “In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
DEM says interacting with sharks is a risk for people in the ocean: “The waters off Rhode Island are part of a natural ecosystem that contains some risk for people. In the ocean, this includes interacting with sharks.”
6 nonnative animals are named on Rhode Island's official lists (Rhode Island DEM via RI.gov). The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records 1 nonnative animal in our groups with an established population in Rhode Island.
Darker cells are the months with more open-licence observation records of each group in Rhode Island (GBIF). They show when people see and record these animals, not how many there are. The current month, this month, is highlighted.
No. DEM says no venomous snakes occur in Rhode Island. Snakes kept as pets can still be involved in bites, and the regional poison center lists two venomous species for the Massachusetts and Rhode Island region. Rhode Island DEM, Division of Fish & Wildlife
No. DEM says copperheads occur in southern New England but have never been documented in Rhode Island. RINHS (2015) reports one bite in East Providence and attributes it to a non-wild snake. Rhode Island DEM, Division of Fish & Wildlife
Yes. The Connecticut Poison Control Center (UConn Health) names Rhode Island in the black widow range and says true sightings or bites are uncommon in New England. Connecticut Poison Control Center, UConn Health
Are there brown recluse spiders in Rhode Island?
The MA & RI Poison Center includes Rhode Island in its range and says encounters are rare; the Connecticut Poison Control Center says it is not native to any New England state. Connecticut Poison Control Center, UConn Health
DEM says black bear sightings have become more common as populations in Connecticut and Massachusetts grow, but breeding in Rhode Island remains unconfirmed. Rhode Island DEM, Division of Fish & Wildlife
Sources
Learn about RI wildlife. Rhode Island DEM, Division of Fish & Wildlife. archived copy, captured June 8, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (3)
“In Rhode Island, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and bats are classified as Rabies Vector Species (RVS) and can pose a serious health risk.”
“…please call DEM at 401-222-3070”
“For your safety, do not touch wildlife with bare hands.”
“Rhode Island hosts 92 different species of mammals, at least 80 of which are indigenous or native to the state.”
“…one species, the Timber Rattlesnake, is extirpated circa 1963”
“Sightings of Black Bear have become more common in Rhode Island as populations in neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts continue to grow. However, the breeding status of Black Bear in Rhode Island remains unconfirmed”
“Sea turtles visit Rhode Island’s estuarine and marine waters during the warmer months”
Venomous Spiders at Work. CDC / NIOSH. archived copy, captured October 13, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Black widows and brown recluses are two types of venomous spiders in the United States.”
Lone Star Tick (TickEncounter). University of Rhode Island, TickEncounter. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“…but the nymphal and adult stages can transmit the germs causing Ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus disease, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Bourbon virus disease, and Tularemia”
“The waters off Rhode Island are part of a natural ecosystem that contains some risk for people. In the ocean, this includes interacting with sharks.”
“At any given time, we know that blue sharks, mako sharks, sand tiger sharks, thresher sharks, and great whites are present in our waters along with a wide diversity of other marine species.”
“Marine aquatic invaders that have become established in Rhode Island include the European green crab (Carcinus maenas), Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus),”
“The Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) has been found in Rhode Island waters and is spreading”
“Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) are also found in southern New England, but have never been documented in Rhode Island.”
“Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), also called ‘water moccasins’ are a southern species, occurring no farther north than Virginia, and are unable to survive in northern climates.”
“Leave the snake alone.”
“If a snake feels cornered or threatened, it may act aggressively.”
“In spring and autumn, garter snakes often find their way into basements.”
“Most active in the spring, which is also when they mate”
Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders. Connecticut Poison Control Center, UConn Health. Page modified 2022-12-09; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Black widows may be found in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the southern parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.”
“The brown recluse is not native to any of the New England States.”
A Copperhead in Rhode Island? Rhode Island Natural History Survey (non-profit survey; not a state agency). July 30, 2015; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“But also don’t pick up a snake if you can’t identify it.”
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