There are different types of snakes in New Hampshire! They are quite distinctive and have evolved to fit into various environments and niches.
These types of snakes in the New Hampshire population differ greatly from one another.
Certain species, for instance, employ constriction to render their prey immobile, while others are venomous.
The reality is that certain snakes choose to live extremely near to humans, while others are rarely seen because they spend most of their lives underground.
You will learn about these types of snakes in New Hampshire today.
Let’s get started!
1. Northern Black Racer
This is the first on our list of snake types in New Hampshire. The southeastern regions of New Hampshire are home to a population of Northern Black Racers.
The species is considered to be at an extremely high risk of going extinct in the state, and continuous efforts are made to conserve it.
These impressively slim snakes can reach a stunning 36 to 60 inches (90-155cm) in length in New Hampshire.
The species is easily identified by its shiny jet-black body and distinctive white neck.
They have excellent vision and raise their heads to look about to locate their prey before ambushing them.
On the other hand, its venom is only effective at immobilizing its victim and is not considered a threat to human beings.
They eat rodents, birds, eggs, other snakes, and birds’ eggs. Springtime is their breeding season, and during the summer, the females deposit 15 to 20 eggs.
The Northern Black Racer overwinters in rock crevices and underground tunnels, alone or in small groups.
2. Milk Snake
Milk snakes are also found in New Hampshire and can mostly be found in the northern parts.
They are found in various settings, including forests, rocky hillsides, farmland, and barns.
They conceal themselves from view by concealing themselves beneath logs, stones, and rubbish.
When fully grown, milk snakes can reach lengths of between 24 and 36 inches (60 and 90 centimeters).
They are easily identifiable by the bands of red, black, and white that run the length of their bodies and their checkered underbellies, which are also white and black.
These types of snakes in New Hampshire warn other animals of their presence by swiftly shaking their tails like rattlesnakes, and if the threat persists, they may even strike.
Batesian mimicry is a type of mimicry in which a species that is not dangerous imitates a species that is dangerous to frighten off predators.
On the other hand, the bites they provide are harmless to people because they are not poisonous.
Springtime is their mating season, and the females deposit their eggs over the summer. The young emerge in late summer or early autumn.
Milk snakes eat other species of snakes, eggs, lizards, and small mammals.
3. Ribbon Snake
Ribbon snakes are not found in the state except in the extreme northern region of New Hampshire.
Their population is rather small, and the state has granted protected protection to the species.
Ribbon snakes can grow to be anything between 16 and 35 inches (40 and 88 centimeters) in length.
They have stripes of yellow or green running down their bodies, which starkly contrasts with the hue of their backdrop, either brown or black.
Their tails are quite lengthy and account for one-third of their total length.
Ribbon snakes are rarely seen far from water and prefer to live in brushy environments close to bodies of water.
They are known to be one of the quickest types of snakes in New Hampshire and lead an active, independent lifestyle.
However, during the year’s colder months, they gather in tiny groups and hibernate underground.
Springtime is their mating season, and females typically give birth to their young between July and September.
They exclusively consume prey that has a cold blood temperature, such as fish, salamanders, spiders, and frogs in their diet.
4. Northern Water Snake
The Northern Water snake can be found all over New Hampshire, except the state’s northernmost regions.
They are one of the most frequent snakes in New Hampshire state, and their population is quite stable.
They are bulky and can reach lengths between 24 and 42 inches (60 and 104 centimeters).
Their bodies have a color that can be described as brownish-gray with spots of red and bands of brown. And a midsection that was covered in crimson shapes that resembled half moons.
Northern water snakes are commonly found in habitats close to water sources, such as dams, lakes, rivers, and ponds.
You can find them dozing off in the warm sun atop boulders and logs near the lake.
They consume fish, frogs, and toads and are also known to occasionally consume small mammals as a source of food.
Northern Water snakes spend the colder months of the year hibernating in tunnels close to the water, emerging in the warmer months.
Springtime is their mating season, and during the months of August and September, the females give birth to 20 to 40 young.
5. Eastern Hognose Snake
Sightings of Eastern Hognose snakes in the Merrimack River in Northern New Hampshire have been reported. Due to the low population of the species in the state, they are deemed endangered.
They have stocky bodies and can reach lengths between 20 and 35 inches (50 and 88 centimeters).
They take their name from the animal that resembles them most closely, the hog, due to the distinctive appearance of the dorsal scales on their backs.
Eastern Hognose snakes’ bodies are gray, with spots of red and brown. Their underbellies are cream-colored.
Even though these types of snakes in New Hampshire do not have venom, they are known to put on elaborate defense displays to frighten potential predators and play dead if that does not work.
They make their homes in the sandy grave soils of river valleys, hillsides, and wetland environments because it is easier for them to obtain amphibians, which comprise most of their diet.
Springtime is the breeding season for these animals, and the females bury their eggs until the following summer when the young emerge.
In addition, throughout the winter, they get together in burrows and hibernate for the season.
6. Common Garter Snake
New Hampshire is home to a large population of Common Garter snakes, which can be found in all parts of the state.
They are short, slender snakes that can reach lengths between 18 and 26 inches (45 and 66 centimeters) when fully grown.
Members of these types of snakes can be recognized in New Hampshire by the two to three yellow, green, or brown stripes that run the length of their bodies.
You can encounter them in various settings, including urban places, and because they do not possess any venom, they do not pose much of a danger to people.
They are also common in areas with dense vegetation, such as hillside forests and wetland areas.
Common Garter snakes are most active during the day and eat amphibians, snails, fish, and small mammals. They can also be found in warmer climates.
They begin their reproductive process in the spring and have their young during July and September.
They spend the year’s colder months alone or in small groups, hibernating in caves, burrows, and cracks in the rocks.
7. Northern Ring-necked Snake
Northern ring-necked Snakes are next on our list of types of snakes in New Hampshire and can be found throughout the state.
The Northern Ringneck snake is among the most often-seen snake species in the United States.
They are rather short, slender snakes that can develop to a length of between 25 and 38 centimeters (approximately 10 to 15 inches).
Additionally, they have yellow underbellies, bluish-black bodies, and a golden ring worn around their necks to distinguish them.
They prefer to live in damp, shady woodlands, but they can also be found hiding beneath rocks, logs, or other debris.
Their preferred habitat is the woods. The species prefers to be active at night and lives in colonies with other members of its kind.
Ringneck snakes are timid and try to avoid human interaction. Because they do not produce venom, these snakes in New Hampshire are perfect candidates for keeping as pets.
During the spring, they copulate; during the summer, the females lay their eggs in communal nests.
During the winter, they also hibernate together in groups in underground tunnels or rock crevices.
Their food consists of slugs, salamanders, small snakes, and other amphibians and snakes.
8. Brown Snake
Brown snakes are a prevalent species in most of New Hampshire, and their numbers are likewise great enough that there is no reason to be concerned about them.
They are rather short, slender snakes that can reach around 10 to 14 inches (25-35cm) when fully grown.
Their coloration can range from light to dark brown, and their bodies are marked with two rows of dark dots running lengthwise.
Brown snakes can survive in various environments, including urban areas, woodlands, and marshes. It is also extremely likely that the next snake you find in your backyard will be a brown snake.
This is because brown snakes are fairly common. That is the extent to which they can be found in New Hampshire.
These types of snakes in New Hampshire do not produce venom and present a negligible threat to human beings. If you come across one, you should leave it alone.
During the winter months, groups of brown snakes will hibernate together inside the burrows of other animals.
They have their young in the late summer or early autumn after having given birth to their young in the spring.
9. Smooth Green Snake
The state of New Hampshire is home to a population of Smooth Green snakes, which includes the Isles of Shoals.
Despite this, the species’ state is considered critically endangered, and continuous efforts exist to conserve it.
They are thin snakes that grow to be around 10 to 20 inches (25-50cm) in length and are distinguished by the coloration of their underbellies, which are green and yellow.
They are not green when they are first born, but their first skin shed causes them to change color.
They can easily scale trees and spend most of their time feeding on the branches of trees.
On the other hand, you might also find these types of snakes in New Hampshire in open areas of the forest, meadows, and grassy fields.
During the colder months of the year, smooth-green snakes congregate underground in large groups to hibernate before emerging when the temperature rises.
In the spring, when they mate, and in late summer, the females lay their eggs in communal nests. Insects and spiders make up the majority of the snakes’ diet.
10. Timber Rattlesnake
One of the most poisonous snakes in New Hampshire is the Timber Rattlesnake. It is located in the White Mountains and is considered the most precarious situation.
These types of snakes in New Hampshire can grow to a length of between 94 and 152 centimeters, have a triangular head, and have keeled scales.
They have bulky bodies and are distinguished by the rattling that can be found at the very tip of their tails.
Thanks to the brown crossbands running the length of their bodies, they can more easily blend in with their environment.
Their natural environments are rocky and wooded places with plenty of cover and sunlight.
During the day, they forage on rock surfaces, and at night, they use rock crevices for shelter and communal hibernation grounds.
Timber Rattlesnakes have been known to use the same den for giving birth and raising their young for multiple generations, which is fascinating about these reptiles.
Males can travel great distances away from their dens during the summer months, yet they always make it back to hibernate before winter.
11. Northern Red-Bellied Snake
The Northern Red-bellied Snake is the last snake on our list in New Hampshire. These little snakes range in length from roughly 20 to 25 centimeters or 8 to 10 inches.
They can be brown or gray, and their names give away the fact that their bellies are bright red.
They call various environments home, such as forests, marshes, and sphagnum bogs.
The species is known to conceal itself frequently under garbage, fallen tree trunks, and rocks.
When they feel frightened by potential enemies, these snakes in New Hampshire flick their tongues and curve their lips to show off their sharp fangs.
During the colder months, groups of Northern Red-bellied snakes will burrow underground and hibernate together.
They mate in the spring, and in late summer or early autumn, the female gives birth to the young.
Their food consists mainly of the larvae of beetles, snails, and earthworms.
