Snakes in Connecticut

2 venomous species · 12 species covered

Two venomous species, both uncommon: the copperhead and the endangered timber rattlesnake. Most Connecticut snake sightings are garter or water snakes.

Venomous snakes in Connecticut

These are the species worth being able to recognise. Every one of them would rather avoid you than bite.

Harmless snakes in Connecticut

Far more common than the venomous species, and the source of nearly every alarming snake report. Several are actively useful to have around.

Before anything else

  • Back away and leave it alone. A snake that can see you leaving has no reason to bite. Most bites in the United States happen to people who picked up, cornered, or tried to kill a snake.
  • Never handle a snake to identify it. Every identification on this site can be made from a photo or from several feet away.
  • If someone is bitten, call emergency services now. Keep the limb still and below the heart, remove rings and watches, and go to hospital. Do not cut, suck, apply ice, or use a tourniquet — all of these make outcomes worse.
  • Do not try to catch the snake for identification. A photo from a distance is enough, and hospitals treat symptoms rather than species.

In the US, the Poison Help line is 1-800-222-1222. This site is a reference, not medical advice.

Identify what you saw in Connecticut

Already filtered to Connecticut. Add the markings, size and behaviour to narrow it further.

1.Which state are you in?

The most powerful question here. Most states have only one or two venomous species, and several have none at all.

2.What were the markings like?

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Judge this from the back of the snake. Whether the pattern continues onto the belly is the single most useful thing to notice with a ringed snake.

3.How big was it?

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People consistently overestimate snake length, so this only narrows things roughly — neighbouring sizes stay on the list.

4.Where did you see it?

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Habitat rules out a surprising amount. A snake several feet up a tree is very unlikely to be a pit viper.

5.Did it do any of these?

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Behaviour is often more reliable than colour. Pick everything you actually saw — not what you think it might have done.

6.What colour was it?

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Deliberately last, and it never removes anything from the list. Snakes look completely different when wet, shedding, or seen in shade.