Snakes

 of Tennessee

 

Tennessee is home to 32 species of snakes, only 4 of which are venomous.  Please take the time to learn more about these interesting and beneficial residents of our state.  Below is a list of snake species native to Tennessee.

This site is currently under construction. Please bear with us.

 List of Scientific names             Venomous or Not?           

Snakebite statistics         Avoiding snakes & Preventing Snakebite

Tennessee's Non-venomous Snakes
 

Black & Speckled Kingsnake
 
Gray Ratsnake
(sometimes called chicken snake,
very common statewide)
 
Broad-banded Watersnake
 
Red Cornsnake
(also called red ratsnake, cornsnake)
 
Eastern Coachwhip
 
Common Gartersnake
 
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
 
Eastern & Red Milksnake & Scarlet Kingsnake
 
Eastern Ribbonsnake
 
Eastern & Midwestern Wormsnake
 
Midland & Northern Brownsnake
 
Midland & Common Watersnake
 
Mississippi Green Watersnake
 
Mississippi & Northern Ring-necked Snake
 
Mole & Prairie Kingsnake
 
Northern Diamond-backed Watersnake
 
Northern & Southern Black Racer
 
Copper-bellied & Yellow-bellied Watersnake
 
Northern Pinesnake
 
Northern Scarlet Snake
 
Queen Snake
 
Northern Red-bellied Snake
 
Rough Earthsnake
 
Northern Rough Greensnake
 
Eastern & Western Smooth Earthsnake
 
Southeastern Crowned Snake
 
Western Mud Snake
 
Western Ribbonsnake
 

In Tennessee, it is illegal to harm, kill, remove from the wild, or possess native snakes taken from the wild without the proper permits.

Please help the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to protect our native snakes. Do not remove snakes from the wild or release snakes that have been captive into the wild.

Once-captive snakes often don't survive in the wild and can introduce harmful diseases and parasites into the wild.

Tennessee's Venomous Snakes
 
Northern & Southern Copperhead
 
Timber Rattlesnake
 
Western Cottonmouth
 
Western Pigmy Rattlesnake

 

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Photo by Lisa Powers, Froghaven Farm

Tennessee Herpetological Society

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail BioBlitz Photo Gallery

Snakes are important to the environment and help to keep nature in balance. 

For questions, please email: froghavenfarm@hotmail.com

Web Design by Froghaven Farm

All Content and Photos Copyright 2008, Lisa Powers

10 April 2008