List of reptiles of Massachusetts facts for kids

Welcome to the world of reptiles in Massachusetts! This page will introduce you to all the amazing snakes, turtles, and lizards that live freely in our state. You won't find any pets or zoo animals here, just the wild ones!

Snakes of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to many different kinds of snakes. Some are common, while others are very rare and need our protection.

Meet the Snakes!

• Northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

This snake is quite rare and is considered endangered in Massachusetts. You might find it in Norfolk, Berkshire, and Hampden Counties.

• Black racer (Coluber constrictor)

Black racers are common in many areas but their numbers are slowly going down. They live all over Massachusetts, except on Nantucket island.

• Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

This snake is very rare and endangered in our state. It lives in Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Norfolk counties.

• Eastern worm snake (Carphophis ameonus amoenus)

Eastern worm snakes are rare and considered threatened in Massachusetts. They are only found in the southern Connecticut River Valley, in Hampden and Hampshire Counties.

• Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus)

These small snakes are common and can be found all across Massachusetts. They are easy to spot with their bright neck ring.

• Eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Eastern hog-nosed snakes are not very common. They are found in many counties, but not in Berkshire, Nantucket, or Dukes County.

• Eastern milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

Milk snakes are common and live throughout the entire state of Massachusetts.

• Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon)

These snakes are very common and can be found statewide, except in Dukes County. They love to be near water!

• Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis)

Smooth green snakes are common but their numbers are decreasing because they are losing their homes. They live all over Massachusetts.

• Black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)

This snake is very rare and endangered in Massachusetts. It is only found in southern Worcester County, the Connecticut River Valley, and Essex County.

• DeKay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi)

DeKay's brown snakes are common and live statewide, except on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket islands.

• Brahminy blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus)

This snake was brought to Massachusetts from other places. It has only been seen in and around Boston, and we are still learning about its status here.

• Northern redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)

Northern redbelly snakes are common and can be found all over Massachusetts, except on Nantucket.

• Ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus)

Ribbon snakes are common but their populations are declining. They live throughout the state.

• Common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Garter snakes are very common and can be found everywhere in Massachusetts. They are one of the most frequently seen snakes.

Turtles of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to many different kinds of turtles, from large sea turtles to smaller pond dwellers. Many of them need our help to survive.

Meet the Turtles!

• Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)

Loggerhead sea turtles are very rare in Massachusetts. They are found in the coastal waters of the southeast. One was seen in Essex County in 2008. They are endangered both federally and in Massachusetts.

• Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Green sea turtles are also very rare. They have been reported near Dukes, Nantucket, and Cape Cod. They are listed as threatened in Massachusetts and endangered federally.

• Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Snapping turtles are common and can be found all over Massachusetts. They are known for their strong bite!

• Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Painted turtles are common and live throughout the entire state. They are easily recognized by their colorful shells.

• Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Spotted turtles are common in some places but uncommon in others. They live statewide, except in Northern Berkshire County and Suffolk County. They are considered vulnerable.

• Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Leatherback sea turtles are very rare in Massachusetts, found in coastal southeastern waters. They are an endangered species.

• Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)

Blanding's turtles are rare, with small groups found in eastern Massachusetts. They are considered threatened in the state.

• Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Hawksbill sea turtles are very rare visitors to Massachusetts. They have only been recorded a few times. They are critically endangered.

• Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)

Wood turtles are uncommon. They are found statewide north and west of Bristol County and Plymouth County. They are a species of special concern.

• Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)

Bog turtles are extremely rare in Massachusetts, found only in Berkshire County. They are critically endangered both in the state and federally.

• Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)

Kemp's ridley sea turtles have been seen near Cape Cod, Dukes County, and Nantucket. They are endangered in Massachusetts and critically endangered worldwide.

• Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)

Diamondback terrapins are uncommon. They are found in Cape Cod, Plymouth County, and Bristol County. They are considered threatened both federally and in Massachusetts.

• Northern red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris)

This turtle is rare and found only in Plymouth County. It is an endangered species.

• Eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)

Eastern musk turtles are common and live statewide, except in Dukes and Nantucket Counties.

• Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Eastern box turtles are uncommon. They are found statewide, possibly not on Nantucket. They are a species of special concern.

• Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Red-eared sliders were introduced to Massachusetts. They are likely common and can be found statewide.

Lizards of Massachusetts

Lizards are less common in Massachusetts than snakes or turtles, but there are a couple of species to know about.

Meet the Lizards!

• Common five-lined skink (Plestidon fasciatus)

This lizard used to live in western and southern Massachusetts (Berkshire and Bristol Counties) but is now gone from the state due to losing its habitat. It is considered extirpated, meaning it no longer exists here.

• Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus)

Italian wall lizards were brought to Massachusetts from other places. They have only been officially seen in Suffolk County, with some unconfirmed reports in Middlesex County.

Images for kids

• 

  Northern copperhead

• 

  Black racer

• 

  Timber rattlesnake

• 

  Eastern worm snake

• 

  Ring-necked snake

• 

  Eastern hog-nosed snake

• 

  Eastern milk snake

• 

  Northern water snake

• 

  Smooth green snake

• 

  Black rat snake

• 

  DeKay's brown snake

• 

  Brahminy blind snake

• 

  Northern redbelly snake

• 

  Ribbon snake

• 

  Common garter snake

• 

  Loggerhead sea turtle

• 

  Green sea turtle

• 

  Common snapping turtle

• 

  Painted turtle

• 

  Spotted turtle

• 

  Leatherback sea turtle

• 

  Blanding's turtle

• 

  Hawksbill sea turtle

• 

  Wood turtle

• 

  Bog turtle

• 

  Kemp's ridley sea turtle

• 

  Diamondback terrapin

• 

  Northern red-bellied cooter

• 

  Eastern musk turtle

• 

  Eastern box turtle

• 

  Red-eared slider

• 

  Common five-lined skink

• 

  Italian wall lizard