Snakes

Many people are afraid of snakes because they don't know enough about them. Snakes are beneficial—they help control insect and rodent populations, and they are fun to watch. There are no poisonous snakes in Maine.

Northern water snake

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Identification and Control Information

• Snakes of Maine!—Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Snakes of Maine! (PDF)—Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (same as above)
• Maine Endangered Species: Black Racer (PDF)—Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

More Information

• Preventing and Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife Encounters (PDF)—Ohio Department of Natural Resources

General Snake Information

Note: The following contain information about snakes that do not occur in Maine, however the general information and the tips for dealing with unwanted snakes are very useful. For Maine specific information see above.

• Snakes of Massachusetts: Snakes and People—UMass Amherst Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation
• Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series: Snakes (PDF)—Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage: Nonpoisonous Snakes (PDF)—Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management

[Photos, left to right: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org; James Henderson, Gulf South Research Corporation, Bugwood.org; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org; John Triana, Regional Water Authority, Bugwood.org]