Maine has nine native snake species, and none of them is dangerous to people. No venomous snake lives wild in Maine. The only venomous snake the state ever had, the timber rattlesnake, was wiped out in the 1800s. Jump to all nine species, whether any are venomous or why some lists say eleven.
The nine snakes of Maine
Maine wildlife officials recognize these nine native species, the same list given by the Gigafact fact brief, which cites the state’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
- Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis).
- Ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus).
- Northern brown snake, also called DeKay’s brown snake (Storeria dekayi).
- Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon).
- Northern red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata).
- Eastern milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum).
- Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis).
- Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus).
- Northern black racer (Coluber constrictor).
Are there venomous snakes in Maine?
No. Maine wildlife officials, as reported by Gigafact, recognize nine snake species and none that is dangerous to people. A few details are worth knowing:
- The timber rattlesnake used to live here. The Gigafact brief says settlers heavily persecuted the species and that it was last seen in Maine around 1860, so it is now extirpated, meaning locally extinct. A-Z Animals says only that it was wiped out “sometime in the 1800s.”
- The ring-necked snake is mildly venomous, but harmless to humans. Gigafact says so, citing the state, while A-Z Animals says Maine has no venomous snakes at all. We have not found a source that settles the wording.
- The nearest venomous snakes are in neighboring states. Gigafact says New Hampshire has one known timber rattlesnake population, and Massachusetts has timber rattlesnakes and copperheads, both listed as endangered.
Why some lists say nine and others say eleven
Nine is the number of species. Eleven is a count that includes subspecies. SnakeSnap lists 11 entries for Maine, which appears to count subspecies (we have not confirmed which ones). Maine wildlife officials, as reported by Gigafact, count nine species.
Other claims also differ. Gigafact, citing WorldAtlas, says Maine is one of four states with no native snake considered dangerous, along with Alaska, Hawaii and Rhode Island. A-Z Animals says Maine is one of three states with no venomous snakes, naming only Hawaii and Alaska. We have not verified the state-versus-state counts ourselves.
Snakes in Maine: FAQ
How many snakes are in Maine?
Nine native species, per Maine wildlife officials. Some lists show eleven because they count subspecies. See why the counts differ.
Are there poisonous or venomous snakes in Maine?
No. Maine has no venomous snakes living wild. The timber rattlesnake once lived here but was wiped out in the 1800s. See the details.
Are there rattlesnakes in Maine?
Not any more. The timber rattlesnake was last seen in Maine around 1860, according to the Gigafact fact brief.
Our details come from the Gigafact fact brief “Are there any dangerous snakes in Maine?” (which cites Maine wildlife officials and WorldAtlas), A-Z Animals and SnakeSnap. Counts vary by source and definition.