Snakes in Connecticut

Connecticut is home to about 16 native snake species, and only 2 of them are venomous. The overwhelming majority of snakes in the state are harmless and pose no danger to people. In a small, densely settled New England state, the snakes you are most likely to meet are shy, non-venomous species that prefer to disappear into cover rather than confront a person.

Connecticut's snake diversity is shaped by its mix of habitats and its cool northern climate. Hardwood forests, traprock ridges, river valleys, old farm fields, and coastal marshes along Long Island Sound each support different snakes. Because New England's cooler weather limits how long snakes can be active, they concentrate around sunny rock ledges, stone walls, and warm field edges where basking is easy, which keeps overall numbers in check compared with warmer states.

The 2 venomous species recorded in Connecticut are the Eastern Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake. The copperhead favors wooded, rocky hillsides, mostly in the central traprock ridges and parts of the state where rocky slopes provide cover. The timber rattlesnake is now protected and rare, surviving at a few remote forested ridge dens. Both are uncommon, secretive, and go out of their way to avoid people.

Most snakes people see in Connecticut are harmless: common garter snakes in gardens and parks, the eastern ratsnake (black rat snake) in woods and barns, eastern milk snakes around stone walls and basements, northern watersnakes along ponds and streams (frequently mistaken for copperheads or cottonmouths), DeKay's brownsnake in towns, and ring-necked snakes under logs. Snakebites are very rare in Connecticut and almost always happen when someone handles or tries to kill a snake. Never assume a wild snake is safe to handle. For any bite, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911.