REPTILES of RHODE ISLAND Rhode Island is home to 7 species of turtles. The most common visitor to vernal pools is the spotted turtle. Snapping turtles and painted turtles are also frequently found in these habitats. Of the 13 species of snakes in Rhode Island, only 3 species are typically found hunting around vernal ponds- garter snakes, ribbon snakes, and n. water snakes. Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis   Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta ssp.   Eastern Ribbon Snake  Thamnophis sauritus sauritis Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra s. serpentina   Northern Water Snake Nerodia sipedon Box turtle Terrapene carolina carolina