Maryland Snakes: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe and Informed

Introduction

If you love hiking Maryland’s state parks, tending to your garden, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, you’ve probably wondered: What kinds of snakes live in Maryland?

Good news — this blog will help you:
✅ Identify common Maryland snakes
✅ Understand which species are harmless vs. venomous
✅ Learn simple safety tips for hiking and gardening

Whether you’re curious or cautious, here’s everything you need to know about Maryland snakes.

Are Snakes in Maryland Dangerous?

Snakes are a natural and important part of Maryland’s ecosystems. There are 27 snake species in the state, and the vast majority are non-venomous and completely harmless to humans.

How common are bites?

Snake bites in Maryland are extremely rare. Most snakes prefer to avoid humans and strike only when threatened or stepped on.

Are there venomous snakes in Maryland?

Yes, but only two:

• The Northern Copperhead

• The Timber Rattlesnake

Both are shy, and encounters are uncommon. Knowing how to identify them can help you feel more confident outdoors.

Top 10 Snakes Found in Maryland

1. Eastern Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)

• Appearance: Long black body with a white chin

• Habitat: Forests, fields, barns, suburban yards

• Danger Level: Harmless

• Fun Fact: Excellent climbers — sometimes seen in trees!

• Safety Tip: Don’t mistake it for a venomous snake; it’s a natural rodent control ally.

2. Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

• Appearance: Copper-colored with hourglass-shaped bands

• Habitat: Wooded hillsides, rock outcrops

• Danger Level: Venomous (but rarely fatal)

• Fun Fact: They give birth to live young — no eggs!

• Safety Tip: Watch where you step in leaf litter or near rocks.

3. Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)

• Appearance: Striped black or brown with yellow lines

• Habitat: Meadows, gardens, near water

• Danger Level: Harmless

• Fun Fact: Releases a smelly musk when threatened

• Safety Tip: Gently leave it alone — it will slither away.

4. Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula getula)

• Appearance: Glossy black with white chain-like markings

• Habitat: Forests, wetlands, open fields

• Danger Level: Harmless

• Fun Fact: Eats venomous snakes like copperheads!

• Safety Tip: Don’t kill it — this snake is your backyard hero.

5. Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)

• Appearance: Brown or gray with dark blotches

• Habitat: Lakes, rivers, marshes

• Danger Level: Harmless (often mistaken for cottonmouths, which don’t live here!)

• Fun Fact: Flattens its head to look more dangerous than it is

• Safety Tip: Give it space near the water’s edge.

6. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

• Appearance: Thick body with dark bands and a rattle

• Habitat: Remote forests in western Maryland

• Danger Level: Venomous

• Fun Fact: Maryland’s only rattlesnake species

• Safety Tip: Stay on trails when hiking in the mountains.

7. Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)

• Appearance: Small, brown, faint stripe down back

• Habitat: Urban yards, under logs, gardens

• Danger Level: Harmless

• Fun Fact: Eats slugs and snails — perfect for gardeners!

• Safety Tip: No need to panic — it’s barely bigger than a pencil.

8. Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)

• Appearance: Bright green and slender

• Habitat: Bushes, shrubs, trees near water

• Danger Level: Harmless

• Fun Fact: Blends beautifully into leaves — hard to spot

• Safety Tip: Don’t grab greenery quickly without checking.

9. Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

• Appearance: Tan or gray with red-brown blotches

• Habitat: Woodlands, farmlands, rocky areas

• Danger Level: Harmless

• Fun Fact: Shakes its tail like a rattlesnake when scared

• Safety Tip: It’s not a copperhead — check the pattern carefully.

10. Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)

• Appearance: Dark gray with bright yellow or orange neck ring

• Habitat: Moist woodlands, under rocks and logs

• Danger Level: Harmless

• Fun Fact: Has a mild venom — but only for its prey, not humans

• Safety Tip: Gently cover and leave it be if you see one in your garden.

How to Stay Safe Around Snakes in Maryland

• 🥾 Stay on marked trails while hiking

• 👀 Look before stepping over logs or rocks

• 🚫 Don’t try to pick up or kill a snake

• 🧤 Wear gloves while gardening or clearing brush

• 🧽 Keep your yard tidy to reduce hiding spots

• 🐶 Leash your pets near wooded areas

• 📸 Take a photo from a distance for ID — then walk away

Top Myths About Snakes in Maryland (Busted!)

❌ Myth: All snakes are dangerous
✅ Fact: Only two of Maryland’s 27 species are venomous

❌ Myth: Water snakes are cottonmouths
✅ Fact: Cottonmouths don’t live in Maryland at all

❌ Myth: Snakes chase people
✅ Fact: They flee when they can — striking is a last resort

❌ Myth: Baby snakes are more venomous than adults
✅ Fact: Not true — venom potency varies by species, not age

❌ Myth: Killing snakes keeps you safer
✅ Fact: Removing helpful snakes can increase rodent and pest problems

What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Snake

• 🧍 Stay calm and still

• 📞 Call 911 immediately

• 🚫 Do NOT cut, suck, or ice the bite

• 🪑 Keep the bite area below heart level

• 🏥 Wait for medical professionals — antivenom is available and effective

FAQs About Maryland Snakes

10 Fun Facts About Maryland Snakes

• Only 2 venomous species in the whole state

• Snakes help control rodents and pests

• Some snakes climb trees to find food

• Kingsnakes eat other snakes — even venomous ones

• Baby snakes are born ready to hunt

• Snakes “smell” with their tongues

• Rattlesnakes don’t always rattle

• Brownsnakes live comfortably in urban yards

• Snakes don’t hibernate — they brumate (slow down in winter)

• You’re more likely to see a snake’s shed skin than the snake itself