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Snakes of the United States

113 snake species have a profile here, 27 of them venomous. The most widespread is the common garter snake, on the list of 47 states. Each profile shows where the species lives, when it is seen and how to tell it from lookalikes.

Rattlesnakes

Copperheads and cottonmouths

Copperheads and cottonmouths: four species with a profile. The most widespread is the eastern copperhead, recorded in 27 states. Venomous: the eastern copperhead, the northern cottonmouth, the broad-banded copperhead and the Florida cottonmouth.

Coral snakes

Coral snakes: three species with a profile. The most widespread is the eastern coral snake, recorded in 5 states. Venomous: the eastern coral snake, the Sonoran coralsnake and the Texas coral snake.

Water snakes and swamp snakes

Water snakes and swamp snakes: 15 species with a profile. The most widespread is the northern water snake, recorded in 36 states.

Garter snakes and ribbon snakes

Garter snakes and ribbon snakes: 13 species with a profile. The most widespread is the common garter snake, recorded in 47 states.

Rat snakes and corn snakes

Rat snakes and corn snakes: six species with a profile. The most widespread is the eastern rat snake, recorded in 26 states.

Kingsnakes and milksnakes

Kingsnakes and milksnakes: nine species with a profile. The most widespread is the eastern milksnake, recorded in 40 states.

Racers, whipsnakes and indigo snakes

Racers, whipsnakes and indigo snakes: seven species with a profile. The most widespread is the eastern racer, recorded in 46 states.

Gopher snakes, bullsnakes and pine snakes

Gopher snakes, bullsnakes and pine snakes: one species with a profile. The most widespread is the gopher snake, recorded in 23 states.

Hognose snakes

Hognose snakes: two species with a profile. The most widespread is the eastern hog-nosed snake, recorded in 33 states.

Green snakes

Green snakes: two species with a profile. The most widespread is the smooth green snake, recorded in 25 states.

Small woodland and burrowing snakes

Small woodland and burrowing snakes: 28 species with a profile. The most widespread is the ring-necked snake, recorded in 45 states.

Boas and pythons

Boas and pythons: three species with a profile. The most widespread is the northern rubber boa, recorded in 8 states.

Bitten? Call 911 for a venomous snakebite or any bite with trouble breathing. For advice on any bite or sting, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7, U.S.-wide). Do not cut the wound, suck out venom or use a tourniquet. General information, not medical advice. Do not handle or try to identify a snake or spider by this page; if unsure, treat it as venomous.

GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.

About these numbers

A species is listed for a state once GBIF holds at least 10 records of it located inside the state by coordinates, under any license. Every count, share, month and county shown is computed only from records published under CC0 or CC BY, so a listed species can show few or no counted records. Monthly patterns show when people record snakes, which also reflects when people are outdoors. Venomous status follows taxonomy: pit vipers and coral snakes; widow and recluse spiders; the Arizona bark scorpion. Records filed under older names count for the species they belong to today. Full methodology.