When most people think of Vermont, snakes probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, the state is famous for its snowy ski resorts, maple syrup, dense forests, and of course, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
However, Vermont’s rugged, nature-filled landscapes are home to a surprising variety of snakes, adding an unexpected twist to the state’s wildlife.
Snakes in Vermont
Thanks to its vast forests and natural landscapes, Vermont is a haven for nature lovers. But when it comes to snakes, there’s really no need to worry. The state is home to only 11 snake species, and just one of them is venomous.
This makes Vermont a great destination for those who love the outdoors but aren’t fans of snakes. Still, it’s always best to know what you’re dealing with so you can stay safe. Below, we’ll cover all the native snakes in Vermont, including how they look, how they behave, and what to do if you encounter one.
Venomous Snakes in Vermont
Fortunately, Vermont has only one venomous snake:
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
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Identification: Typically gray, brown, or yellow with dark crossbands along its body. They have a distinctive rattle at the tip of their tail.
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Behavior: Timber rattlesnakes are shy and will usually avoid humans. They give a warning rattle if threatened.
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Safety Tip: If you encounter one, keep your distance and do not attempt to touch or provoke it. These snakes are not aggressive if left alone.
Non-Venomous Snakes
The remaining 10 species in Vermont are harmless and play an important role in controlling pests and maintaining ecosystem balance. While it’s always wise to give wildlife space, these snakes are not dangerous to humans.
Of all the snakes in Vermont, the Timber Rattlesnake is the only venomous one. Sometimes called the Canebrake Rattlesnake, they can be anywhere from 30 inches long to 60. They’re found throughout the southern areas of Vermont, mainly in forests, thickets, and agricultural areas.
Timber Rattlesnakes come in a variety of colors. They’re most commonly yellow-brown, gray, or nearly black. You can further identify them by the black or dark brown crossbands running down their backs. Being rattlesnakes, they also naturally have rattles on their tails.
They mainly only attack small mammals but will sometimes attack smaller snakes, birds, and frogs. They kill by biting their prey, releasing them, and finally eating them once the poison has taken them down.
Thankfully, they tend to steer clear of humans, but if you do see one back away immediately.
Non Venomous Snakes in Vermont
Here are some of the non poisonous snakes in Vermont. You’re still going to want to leave them alone, but should you happen to encounter one, you have little to worry about.
Eastern Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)
You can actually find the Eastern Rat Snake all across the United States, not only Vermont. You won’t, however, find it any further north than Vermont. These long black snakes are extremely large and can extend past 6 feet. One in Vermont even once reached a jawdropping 72 inches.
You can tell you’re looking at an Eastern Rat Snake thanks to its shiny black scales and lighter colored belly. Its chin and throat will be white.
They tend to congregate in rocky outcroppings and forests. Although snakes tend to avoid humans, if you happen to see one, these are the most likely places. If you do see one, don’t worry. Again, they’re amongst the non venomous snakes in Vermont.
They also consume pests and rodents, so they’re actually a beneficial species to the environment.
Maritime Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus)
The next in our list of non poisonous snakes in Vermont is the Maritime Garter Snake. Although not dangerous, they can be pretty long. Some have gotten up to 40 inches!
Unlike some of the other snakes in Vermont, they can be found pretty much anywhere. They’re just as likely to be in urban areas as forests, fields, shorelines, rocks, etc. They do have a tendency to hide under rocks and logs, however, for thermoregulation and self-defense.
Maritime Garter Snakes tend to be black, brown, or dark green. Interestingly, until other garter snakes, they don’t tend to have stripes. They do, however, have yellow bellies, upper jaws, and chins. Some also have a speckled pattern on their backsides.
Unlike most of the snakes in Vermont, they don’t particularly avoid humans, either. Thankfully again, however, they aren’t a threat.
DeKay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
DeKay’s Brownsnakes are another of the most interesting snakes in Vermont. You aren’t likely to encounter one as they’re mostly nocturnal and quite shy.
These non venomous snakes in Vermont generally eat earthworms and slugs. They can also go after other small creatures like snails, insects, and tree frogs.
They generally grow to be between 6 and 13 inches. Their color ranges from gray to dark brown. They can also be identified by dark spots on their back arranged in 2 rows. They also have dark streaks on their heads. Some also have a light stripe on their backs.
This species is fairly docile. If a human scares or catches them, they have the ability to release a foul-smelling musk as a self-preservation tactic. So the only danger you’ll be in is smelling bad.
North American Racer Snake (Coluber constrictor)
Another of the most common non venomous snakes in Vermont are North American Racer Snakes. They’re also sometimes referred to as Northern Black Racer Snakes.
As with many snakes in Vermont, you’re not likely to find them out and about. They’re usually in forests, hiding under leaves.
They keep to themselves and don’t tend to go anywhere near humans. In fact, if they see you, they’re most likely to speed away. That’s what their name comes from. Being non venomous, they don’t engage in fights. Their self-preservation tactic is the ability to run.
North American Racer Snakes are black and glossy, and very skinny and long. They can grow to over six feet! As with all snakes, it’s best to avoid if you see one. In this case, however, they’ll probably dash away before you can!
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snakes certainly aren’t common snakes in Vermont. They have, however, been found there on numerous, though admittedly rare occasions. In the interest of being comprehensive, however, we thought we should cover them as well.
These non poisonous snakes in Vermont range widely in color. Options are orange, black, brown, olive, and gray. Additionally, sometimes they have darker spots or blotches running down their bodies. This isn’t, however, always the case. They’re often solidly colored.
They also have heads shaped like triangles, thick bodies, and upturned noses or snouts. That’s where “hog-nosed” in their name comes from. Their main prey are toads. Their snouts are shaped that way to help dig them up.
They may hiss or act threateningly when under attack, but humans have nothing to worry from them.
Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis)
Smooth Green Snakes are named due to the fact they are bright green. Sometimes referred to as Grass Snakes, they tend to gravitate towards green, moist spots near water. You might find them by streams, lakes, and marshes. They might also be in meadows and pastures.
Although, as mentioned, they’re usually green, they have lighter undersides, usually white or yellow. Before the first time a Smooth Green Snake sheds its skin, it also might be a slightly different color. This could be blue-gray, olive-green, or brown.
Smooth Green Snakes are very skinny and usually run between 14 and 20 inches long. They mainly eat spiders and insects, swallowing them whole rather than constricting.
They tend to avoid humans, slithering away quite quickly if they feel threatened. If you happen to see one, it’ll most likely be between April and October.
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Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum)
Eastern Milksnakes’ unusual name comes from a longstanding myth. Often found in barns, folklore had it that these snakes milked cows! In actuality, they aren’t there for the milk but for the prevalence of mice in barns. The name, however, stuck.
These non venomous snakes in Vermont have gray or tan scales, with 3-5 rows of dark-colored blotches on their backs. They will also have a lighter-colored V or Y-shaped mark at the back of their heads. They are generally somewhere between 24 and 36 inches long.
You aren’t likely to encounter an Eastern Milksnake as they tend to stay underground, or beneath rocks or logs.
Being non venomous, they’re not dangerous to humans, but fascinatingly their blood actually has venom-neutralizing properties. This allows to go after poisonous snakes as prey!
Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita)
There are many snakes in Vermont that we as humans don’t have to worry about. Another is the Eastern Ribbon Snake, which is known for being skinny and having a long tail. They’re dark-colored with three bright stripes running down their lengths.
Meanwhile, the tops of their heads and snouts are brown, the lower part of their heads white. As far as length, they tend to be between 18 and 26 inches long. These snakes in Vermont are semi-aquatic so you’re most likely to find them in or near water.
They tend to eat amphibians and fish and are of no danger to humans. In fact, they’re most likely to run away from a person. However, if cornered, they might aggressively defecate or spray musk. So if you can avoid getting close to one, it’s probably for the best!
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus)
Eastern Garter Snakes in Vermont can be found in the western and southern areas of the state. They’re also the most prevalent of the snakes in Vermont. Spotting them isn’t a particularly rare occurrence.
Their length is generally between 18 and 26 inches. They come in a wide range of colors but usually a mixture of black, brown, or green. They will also have a distinct white or yellow stripe running down their back. Some of them also have a checkered pattern.
You’ll find them on lawns, in gardens and parks, in cemeteries, and so on and so forth. They like the grass and water. Also be aware that when they feel threatened, they might bite. They aren’t venomous but it isn’t pleasant, so do your best to stay away!
Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)
Northern Watersnake: Vermont’s Largest Water-Based Snake
The Northern Watersnake is the largest water-based snake in Vermont, growing up to 55 inches long. These non-venomous snakes are often seen basking on rocks near rivers, lakes, and ponds.
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Appearance: Their coloration ranges from gray to dark brown, with dark bands along their bodies. Adults darken with age, sometimes making the bands nearly invisible.
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Diet & Behavior: Northern Watersnakes feed on fish and amphibians, striking quickly to swallow their prey alive rather than constricting. While they generally avoid humans, they can bite painfully. Their saliva contains a mild anticoagulant, which can make bites bleed more than expected. Although not deadly, it’s best to avoid these snakes whenever possible.
What to Do if You Encounter a Snake in Vermont
Encountering a snake while hiking or camping can be unnerving, but staying calm is key:
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Don’t panic. Sudden movements can make the situation worse.
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Back away slowly. You probably won’t have time to identify whether the snake is venomous, so distance is safest.
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Avoid handling or provoking the snake. Even non-venomous snakes can bite if threatened.
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If bitten:
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Call 911 immediately.
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Photograph the snake if possible—this helps medical professionals identify whether it’s venomous.
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Limit movement. Moving spreads venom or anticoagulants faster through the bloodstream.
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Conclusion
Luckily, Vermont has very few venomous snakes, with only one species—the Timber Rattlesnake—being potentially dangerous to humans. Encounters are rare, especially if you give snakes their space.
Awareness is key: know what species live in the area, stay calm if you encounter one, and seek immediate medical help if bitten. With these precautions, you can enjoy Vermont’s forests, rivers, and hiking trails safely.