Snakes in Shelby County

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.

• 
  Timber Rattlesnake

  Crotalus horridus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.

Every snake recorded in Shelby County

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Black Kingsnake

Lampropeltis nigra

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata

Harmless

Southern Hognose Snake

Heterodon simus

Harmless

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Harmless

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Tantilla coronata

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

Scarlet Kingsnake

Lampropeltis elapsoides

Harmless

Mole Kingsnake

Lampropeltis rhombomaculata

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Shelby County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Shelby County, Alabama?

Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Shelby County, Alabama, including Northern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead. Most snakes in Shelby County, Alabama, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Shelby County, Alabama?

20+ snake species have verified records in Shelby County, Alabama, of which 3 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Shelby County, Alabama?

The Common Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Shelby County, Alabama, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Shelby County, Alabama?

Keep your distance and do not try to catch or kill it. Most bites happen when people handle or corner a snake. If someone is bitten, contact local emergency services or poison control immediately.

Nearby counties