Venomous Snakes in Maryland

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Maryland boasts 27 species and subspecies of snakes, only two of which are venomous. These are the timber rattlesnake and copperhead. Comparatively, 115 snake species occur in North America while about 2100 species occur worldwide. Snakes are found in a variety of habitats in Maryland, from the tidal marshes of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the hardwood forests of the Allegheny Mountains. Two snake species are considered endangered in Maryland. The mountain earth snake is found exclusively in Western Garrett County and is found in fewer areas than any snake in the northeastern U.S. The rainbow snake was believed extirpated from Maryland until recently when a few were found in Charles County along the Potomac River. We know that the scarlet snake and timber rattlesnake are low in numbers in Maryland, but for most of our snakes, we know very little about their populations here. Snake killing and collection of snakes for food, hides and pets can contribute to the decline of snake populations. However, habitat destruction remains the leading threat to snakes and other wildlife.