Snakes in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has only twelve snake species, all of which are non-venomous. Though venomous snakes like the timber rattle and copperhead inhabit the neighboring states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and southern New England, no traces remain in the state. However, the timber rattlesnake, the only venomous species to have dwelt here, disappeared from Rhode Island around 50 years ago.

The non-venomous snakes mainly inhabit the coastal regions but occur elsewhere, too, including woodlands, grasslands, marshes, and meadows. The eastern rat snake, the state’s largest, is mainly found in the southwestern part of Rhode Island in the Exeter and Hopkinton towns.

Groups	Venomous	Non-venomous
Garter Snakes	–	Eastern Garter Snake Eastern Ribbon Snake
Water Snakes	–	Common Watersnake
Hognose Snakes	–	Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Kingsnakes	–	Eastern Milksnake
Coluber	–	Northern Black Racer
Pantherophis	–	Eastern Rat Snake
Carphophis	–	Eastern Worm Snake
Storeria	–	DeKay’s Brown Snake Northern Redbelly Snake
Opheodrys	–	Smooth Green Snake
Diadophis	–	Northern Ringneck Snake