Maine is home to a variety of wildlife including some species of poisonous snakes. The most common poisonous snake in Maine is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake which is found in the southern part of the state. Other poisonous snakes found in Maine include the Copperhead the Cottonmouth and the Coral Snake.
While Maine is not home to any venomous snakes there are a few species that can deliver a painful bite if provoked. The most common of these is the Timber Rattlesnake which is found in the western part of the state. Other non-venomous snakes that can deliver a painful bite include the Northern Water Snake the Black Rat Snake and the Garter Snake.
If you encounter a snake in the wild it is important to take caution and avoid contact. If you are bitten by a snake seek medical attention immediately.
What types of snakes can be found in Maine?
Answer: According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife there are four types of snakes that can be found in the state of Maine: the eastern garter snake the eastern milk snake the northern red-bellied snake and the common/red-sided garter snake.
Are any of Maine’s snakes venomous?
Answer: No none of Maine’s snakes are venomous.
What does a eastern garter snake look like?
Answer: The eastern garter snake is the most common type of snake in Maine.
They are usually black brown or green in color with a yellow or white stripe running the length of their body.
They can grow to be anywhere from 18-28 inches long.
What does a eastern milk snake look like?
Answer: The eastern milk snake is a non-venomous snake that can grow to be around 3-4 feet long.
They are usually brown or gray in color with black and white bands running the length of their body.
What does a northern red-bellied snake look like?
Answer: The northern red-bellied snake is a non-venomous snake that is usually red orange or yellow in color with black spots down the length of its body.
They can grow to be around 10-16 inches long.
What does a common/red-sided garter snake look like?
Answer: The common/red-sided garter snake is a non-venomous snake that is usually black brown or green in color with a red or yellow stripe running the length of its body.
They can grow to be around 2-3 feet long.
Where do eastern garter snakes typically live?
Answer: Eastern garter snakes can be found in a variety of habitats throughout Maine including woodlands marshes and meadows.
Where do eastern milk snakes typically live?
Answer: Eastern milk snakes can be found in woodlands and fields.
Where do northern red-bellied snakes typically live?
Answer: Northern red-bellied snakes can be found in woodlands and marshes.
Where do common/red-sided garter snakes typically live?
Answer: Common/red-sided garter snakes can be found in woodlands fields and marshes.
What do eastern garter snakes eat?
Answer: Eastern garter snakes typically eat frogs toads worms and occasionally small mammals.
What do eastern milk snakes eat?
Answer: Eastern milk snakes typically eat rodents and other small mammals.
What do northern red-bellied snakes eat?
Answer: Northern red-bellied snakes typically eat frogs toads small fish and insects.
What do common/red-sided garter snakes eat?
Answer: Common/red-sided garter snakes typically eat frogs toads worms and insects.
How can you tell the difference between a venomous snake and a non-venomous snake?
Answer: In general venomous snakes tend to have elliptical-shaped pupils while non-venomous snakes have round pupils.
In addition venomous snakes tend to have a heat-sensing pit located between the eye and the nostril on each side of the head while non-venomous snakes do not have these pits.
