Non-Venomous

Explanation of Pupil

Explanation of Pupil

Pupil

In Kentucky, the black part in the center of the eye (pupil) of harmless snakes is round. Venomous snakes have egg-shaped or cat-like (elliptical) pupils. 

Snake pupil shapes

Explanation of Head Shapes

Explanation of Head Shapes

Head Shape

Venomous snakes usually have a triangular (wide at the back and attached to a narrow neck) or 'spade-shaped' head. Be aware that many non-venomous snakes, such as watersnakes, flatten their heads when threatened and may be confused with venomous snakes.

Snake head shapes

Snake head shapes

The following are a listing of the non-venomous snakes in Kentucky. 

Displaying 1 - 29 of 29
Broad-banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata)
Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Common or Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)
Common Wormsnake (Carphophis ameonus)
Dekay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
Diamond-backed Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer)
Eastern Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra)
Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus)
Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides)
Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)
Mississippi Green Watersnake (Nerodia cyclopion )
North American Black Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Pinesnake (Pituophis melanoleucus)
Plainbelly Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster)
Queensnake (Regina septemvittata)
Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus)
Red-bellied Mudsnake (Farancia abacura)
Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)
Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)
Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea)
Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae)
Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
Western Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus)
Yellow-bellied or Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster)