Snakes of Massachusetts

Learn about the colors, patterns, habitats, and behaviors of our 14 snake species.

Massachusetts is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife, including 14 species of snakes. Deepen your appreciation for nature, and give yourself more peace of mind, by learning to identify more of the snakes you may see on your next outdoor adventure or in your own backyard. Start by learning how to identify each species, if they are common or rare, who they are most often mistaken for, and what their habitat preferences are.

Only 2 of the 14 types of snakes in Massachusetts are venomous: the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead. Both live in only a few areas of the state, and are state-listed as endangered species.

Learn more about each snake below.

Snake species

Common gartersnake: checkered with distinct yellow stripes

Northern watersnake: thick-bodied with small oval head and strong keeled scales

Milksnake: smooth scales with reddish-brown spots outlined in black

Ring-necked snake: small with yellow ring around neck

Dekay's brownsnake: small with dark brown spots and keeled scales

North American racer: small oval head with smooth scales and a white chin

Eastern ribbonsnake: slender, distinct dark reddish brown and yellow stripes

Red-bellied snake: small with keeled scales and three light spots behind the head

Eastern hog-nosed snake: keeled scales and an upturned snout

Timber rattlesnake: thick-bodied with a large triangle head and a rattle tail

Copperhead: pinkish to orange brown with dumbbell-shaped crossbands

Eastern ratsnake: thick-bodied with keeled scales and a white chin

Eastern wormsnake: small with shiny brown smooth scales

Smooth greensnake: green with light belly

If you see a snake that is state-listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern, we'd like to hear from you! Please share your observation on the MassWildlife Heritage Hub. Sharing requires creating an account, but you will receive confirmation and thanks from our biologists, once your observation has been reviewed and confirmed. Your reports provide critical information that informs future habitat management and wildlife conservation for future generations. For a single sighting, as an alternative to setting up a Heritage Hub account, you can also use our Rare Animal Observation Form.

To learn more about areas near you where rare species have been documented and confirmed, visit our rare species viewer.