Snakes in Tennessee
Tennessee has around 32 snake species, of which around five are venomous. The timber rattlesnake, the biggest and deadliest of all the venomous snakes dwelling here, is common throughout the state, primarily found in the eastern part of Tennessee. Memphis, in Tennessee’s southwestern corner, is home to several snakes, mostly the non-venomous ones such as the worm and corn snakes.
The gray rat snake, commonly known as the chicken snake, has a widespread distribution and is Tennessee’s largest, measuring 42-72 inches in length.
| Groups | Venomous | Non-venomous |
|---|---|---|
| Rattlesnakes | Pigmy Rattlesnake Timber Rattlesnake | – |
| Pit Vipers | Northern Copperhead Southern Copperhead Cottonmouth | |
| Water Snakes | – | Mississippi Green Watersnake Plain-bellied Watersnake Southern Watersnake Diamond-backed Watersnake Common Watersnake |
| Garter Snakes | – | Western Ribbon Snake Eastern Ribbon Snake Common Garter Snake |
| Whip Snakes | – | |
| Kingsnakes | – | Common Kingsnake Milk Snake Yellow-bellied Kingsnake |
| Hognose Snakes | – | Eastern Hog-nosed Snake |
| Storeria | – | DeKay’s Brownsnake Redbelly Snake |
| Regina | – | Queen Snake |
| Opheodrys | – | Rough Greensnake |
| Carphophis | – | Worm Snake |
| Pituophis | – | Pine Snake |
Pantherophis | – | Gray Ratsnake Black Rat Snake Corn Snake |
| Diadophis | – | Ring-necked Snake |
| Coluber | – | Eastern Racer |
| Cemophora | – | Scarlet Snake |
| Farancia | – | Mud Snake |
| Tantilla | – | Southeastern Crown Snake |
| Virginia | – | Rough Earth Snake Smooth Earth Snake |
Snakes by Colors and Patterns
Black Snakes: Eastern Racer, Eastern Hognose Snake, Mud Snake, Black Rat Snake
Brown Snakes: Northern Copperhead, DeKay’s Brownsnake, Southern Copperhead, Common Garter Snake
Snakes by Regions
Snakes in Eastern Tennessee: Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Racer
Snakes in Western Tennessee: Southern Copperhead, Western Ribbon Snake, Eastern Ribbon Snake
Snakes in Middle Tennessee: Northern Copperhead,Pigmy Rattlesnake, Southeastern Crown Snake, Common Garter Snake
Quick Information
Biggest Snake: Timber Rattlesnake
Smallest Snake: Worm Snake
Deadliest Snake: Gray Rat Snake
