Snakes in New Hampshire

On this page, you can find an overview of snakes in New Hampshire. Of the 11 snake species native in New Hampshire, the rarely-seen timber rattlesnake is the only venomous snake. The other 10 species are non-venomous and no threat to humans or larger pets.

Just click on any of the images or links below to learn more about the snake.

If you have encountered a snake in New Hampshire that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our snake identification page. 

Venomous snakes in New Hampshire

The timber rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in New Hampshire. The snake is almost exclusively found in the western part of the state and even there, sightings are rare. New Hampshire has listed the timber rattlesnake as a species of greatest conservation need due to the declining population numbers.

Crotalus Horridus – Timber Rattlesnake

The timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, is a venomous snake native to the Eastern part of North America. It is usually around 40 inches (100 cm) long and light or dark brown with several dark brown, jagged, crossband patterns around its ...
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List of non-venomous snakes in New Hampshire

Of the 10 non-venomous snakes in New Hampshire, four are rarely seen and listed as species of greatest conservation need. These are the eastern hognose snake, the smooth green snake, the ribbon snake and the racer snake. The dekay’s brown snake and the common garter snake are the most common snakes of New Hampshire.

Coluber Constrictor – Racer

Coluber constrictor, commonly called the eastern racer is a nonvenomous snake species. The species contains eleven subspecies that can be ...
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Diadophis Punctatus – Ring-Necked Snake

The ring-necked snake, Diadophis punctatus, is a harmless small snake that can be found throughout most of the United States ...
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Heterodon Platirhinos – Eastern Hognose Snake

The eastern hognose snake is a harmless medium-sized snake found in the Central and Eastern United States. The snake has ...
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Lampropeltis Triangulum – Milk Snake

The milk snake is a nonvenomous snake that can be found in the Eastern and Central United States, in Canada ...
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Nerodia Sipedon – Common Watersnake

The common watersnake is a nonvenomous snake that is often seen throughout the Eastern United States as well as Southeastern ...
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Opheodrys Vernalis – Smooth Green Snake

The smooth green snake is a relatively small nonvenomous snake found throughout the Northeastern and Central United States. Its body ...
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Storeria Dekayi – Brown Snake

Storeris dekayi, commonly called the (American) brown snake or Dekay's snake is a small non-venomous snake that can be found ...
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Storeria Occipitomaculata – Redbelly Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata, the redbelly snake is a small, dark brown , grey or black snake with a red, orange or ...
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Thamnophis Sauritus – Ribbon Snake

The ribbon snake, Thamnophis sauritus, is a common non-venomous garter snake species found in the Eastern United States. The snake ...
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Thamnophis Sirtalis – Common Garter Snake

The common garter snake is the best-known and most widespread species among the garter snakes. It can be found throughout ...
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