Venomous animals in Maryland

Venomous species living here
32 venomous snakes, 1 venomous spider

The ones that need the most respect: timber rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.

Dangerous: 1Medically significant: 2
  • 1 dangerous
  • 2 medically significant
Venomous snakes
2
Venomous spiders
1
Scorpions
0
Centipedes
0
Open records
375
Counties with any record
21

Where they turn up in Maryland

Washington: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeAllegany: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeWicomico: Black widow, CopperheadSt. Mary's: CopperheadCarroll: Black widow, CopperheadDorchester: Black widow, CopperheadGarrett: Timber rattlesnakeMontgomery: Black widow, Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnakeTalbot: Black widowCecil: CopperheadHoward: Black widow, CopperheadCalvert: Black widow, CopperheadQueen Anne's: Brown recluseCharles: Black widow, CopperheadSomerset: Black widowWorcester: Black widow, CopperheadAnne Arundel: Black widow, Brown recluse, CopperheadHarford: Black widow, CopperheadBaltimore: Black widow, CopperheadFrederick: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakePrince George's: Black widow, Copperhead
Number of venomous species with open GBIF records in each county. Blank counties often mean nobody has posted a record yet, not that nothing lives there.

Venomous snakes in Maryland

Venomous snakes in Maryland: map, photos and look-alikes

Venomous spiders in Maryland

Venomous spiders in Maryland: map, photos and look-alikes

When they are out

JanFeb: 1 records (spider)FebMar: 1 records (venomous snake)Mar: 5 records (spider)MarApr: 12 records (venomous snake)Apr: 4 records (spider)AprMay: 30 records (venomous snake)May: 7 records (spider)MayJun: 36 records (venomous snake)Jun: 16 records (spider)JunJul: 21 records (venomous snake)Jul: 9 records (spider)JulAug: 29 records (venomous snake)Aug: 13 records (spider)AugSep: 32 records (venomous snake)Sep: 9 records (spider)SepOct: 7 records (venomous snake)Oct: 5 records (spider)OctNov: 1 records (spider)NovDec: 1 records (spider)Dec
Open records by month; most fall in May to June, August to September. People record animals when they are outdoors too, so winter looks quieter than it may be.

Recorded, but not living here

A rare record means someone found or reported the animal once or a few times, but there is no known population. Many are strays, pets or hitchhikers in cargo.

Harmless look-alikes in Maryland

Quick answers for Maryland

Questions

How many venomous snakes live in Maryland?

2 species: Timber rattlesnake and Copperhead.

Are there brown recluse spiders in Maryland?

Only as rare records. GBIF holds 8 open records of the brown recluse from Maryland, the latest from 2026, but there is no known population.

Are there scorpions in Maryland?

No. There are no open records of native scorpions from the state.

When are venomous animals most active in Maryland?

Most open records from Maryland fall in May to June, August to September. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.

What should I do after a bite or sting?

Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.

Neighboring states