Indigenous Snakes of the Eastern Shore of Maryland

Indigenous Snakes of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Maryland's eastern shore is the part of the state located to the east of Chesapeake Bay. It is the indigenous home of 18 different snake species. The various species range in size from 11 inches in length to almost 6 feet. Of the 18 species found on the eastern shore, only one is venomous.

Large Eastern Shore Snakes

Of the numerous species of snake found on the eastern shore, six routinely grow in excess of 3 feet. The largest species is the eastern rat snake, reaching up to 6 feet in length. The northern black racer is not far behind at almost 5 feet in length, and both species are found throughout the state. The red-bellied water snake, red corn snake and eastern king snakes all grow to 4 feet in length. The northern water snake is slightly shorter, growing to 3 1/2 feet in length. All species are found through much of the state, but the red-bellied water snake is only found on the eastern shore.

Medium-sized Eastern Shore Snakes

Several of the eastern shore's resident snakes grow to between 2 and 3 feet in length. The coastal plain milk snake grows to 3 feet in length and is found in just the far eastern parts of Maryland. The northern rough green snake and the eastern hognose both measure just short of 3 feet and are common species statewide. The eastern garter snake, found throughout the state, grows to just over 2 feet in length.

Small Eastern Shore Snakes

The eastern shore is home to six species of small snake which rarely break 2 feet in length. The northern red-bellied and eastern worm snakes are the area's smallest, rarely growing more than 11 inches. The northern brown and southern ring-necked snakes grow a little larger, commonly reaching just over a foot in length. Coming in at just under 2 feet, both the queen snake and the northern scarlet snake are common on the eastern shore.

Venomous Eastern Shore Snakes

Maryland is home to two venomous snake species: the timber rattler, which is found on the western shores of Chesapeake Bay, and the northern copperhead. The copperhead species, found in the southern region of the eastern shore, is actually a cross species of northern and southern copperheads. It is a thick-bodied snake which can grow to 3 feet. Although venomous, bites from a northern copperhead are rarely deadly as long as they are treated.

References

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Snakes
• Eastern Shore Visitor: Home
• Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Copperhead Fact Sheet