You’re hiking through the Acadia backcountry or maybe just clearing some brush near a stone wall in your backyard in Kennebunkport. Suddenly, a flash of scales darts through the dried leaves. Your heart skips. You’ve heard the stories—the ones about the "deadly" water moccasins in the pond or the "copperheads" hiding in the woodpile.
Honestly? You can breathe.
When it comes to venomous snakes in Maine, the reality is actually pretty boring, which is great news for your ankles. If you’re looking for a quick answer: there are currently zero native venomous snake species living in the Pine Tree State. None. Zip.
The Ghost of Maine’s Past
It wasn't always this way. Once upon a time, Maine did have a resident that could pack a punch. The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) used to call the rocky, south-facing hills of southwestern Maine home.
📖 Related: Finding the Best Pumpkin Carving Designs Printable That Actually Work Without Ruining Your Gourd
But humans aren't great at sharing space with things that rattle.
Settlers saw them as monsters. Bounties were paid. Habitats were chopped up for farmland and timber. By the mid-19th century, they were basically gone. The last credible sighting of a native Timber Rattlesnake in Maine happened around 1860. While they still cling to existence in tiny, endangered pockets of New Hampshire and Vermont, they’ve been officially "extirpated" (that's the fancy science word for locally extinct) from Maine for over 160 years.
Why People Think They See Them
If there aren't any, why does the "I saw a copperhead" rumor persist every summer at the lake?
Mistaken identity. It happens all the time.
The Eastern Milksnake is the biggest culprit. These guys are gorgeous—gray or tan with bright reddish-brown blotches. When they feel threatened, they do a very convincing impression of a rattlesnake by vibrating their tail against dry leaves. If you aren't looking closely, that buzz-buzz-buzz sound in the brush is enough to make anyone jump. But look at the head. A milksnake has a narrow head and round pupils. A rattlesnake has that chunky, triangular "pizza slice" head and vertical, cat-like pupils.
Then there’s the Northern Water Snake.
People see a thick-bodied, dark snake in the water and immediately scream "Water Moccasin!" Here’s the catch: Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins) don't live anywhere near New England. Their northern limit is way down in Virginia. Our local water snakes can be cranky and might bite if you grab them, but they aren't venomous. They're just trying to eat their frog in peace.
📖 Related: Why Black Diamond Engagement Rings Black Gold Are The Boldest Choice Right Now
Meet the Real Residents
Since we've cleared the air about the scary stuff, it's worth knowing who actually lives here. Maine has nine species of snakes that are native and currently active.
- Common Garter Snake: You’ve seen these. They’re everywhere, from suburban gardens to deep forests. They have those classic longitudinal stripes. Fun fact: they actually do have a very mild "venom" in their saliva that helps them subdue toads, but it’s totally harmless to humans.
- Smooth Green Snake: These look like a blade of grass with a tongue. They are incredibly docile and eat mostly insects.
- Red-bellied Snake: Tiny. Secretive. They rarely get longer than 10-12 inches. If you flip over a log, you might see that bright orange or red underside.
- Ring-necked Snake: Another small one. They have a distinct yellow "collar" around their neck.
- Northern Black Racer: This is Maine’s only "Endangered" snake. They are big, jet-black, and fast. If you see one, count yourself lucky—they are getting rarer by the year as their habitat disappears.
What If You Actually Get Bitten?
Even though there are no venomous snakes in Maine, a snake bite can still happen. If a big Water Snake or a Milksnake latches onto you, it’s going to hurt. It might even bleed quite a bit because snake saliva has anticoagulants to help them swallow prey.
Treat it like a cat scratch.
Wash it with warm water and soap. Put some antiseptic on it. Watch for infection. You don’t need an ER visit for a Garter snake nip, but you do need to keep it clean.
The only "exception" to the no-venom rule is the extremely rare case of a "hitchhiker." Every once in a long while, a venomous snake from down south might crawl into a pallet of mulch or a shipping container and end up in a Maine nursery or warehouse. It’s happened with Timber Rattlesnakes and even tropical species. But the chances of you running into one of these in the wild are lower than winning the Powerball while being struck by lightning.
Living With Our Scaly Neighbors
Snakes are basically free pest control. They eat the mice that carry ticks, which helps lower the risk of Lyme disease in your yard. They eat the slugs that ruin your hostas.
🔗 Read more: Red and White French Tip Nails: Why This Classic Combo is Dominating Salons Again
If you see a snake in Maine, just give it a few feet of space. It’s way more afraid of your giant boots than you are of its lack of fangs.
Actionable Steps for Maine Homeowners:
- Identify before you panic: Use the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) website to look at photos of the nine native species.
- Manage your yard: If you don't want snakes near the house, keep your grass mowed short and remove piles of debris or tall weeds where they like to hide.
- Leave them alone: If you see a North American Racer (the big black ones), do not harm it. They are protected by law, and killing one can lead to heavy fines.
- Keep your pets in check: Most "snake encounters" involve a curious dog getting nipped. Keep dogs on a leash in rocky or marshy areas to avoid unnecessary stress for both the pet and the wildlife.