Snakes in Polk County

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  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.

• 
  Pygmy Rattlesnake

  Sistrurus miliarius

  ▲ Venomous

  Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.

Every snake recorded in Polk County

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Polk County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Polk County, Arkansas?

Yes. 4 venomous snake species have verified records in Polk County, Arkansas, including Eastern Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Polk County, Arkansas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Polk County, Arkansas?

20+ snake species have verified records in Polk County, Arkansas, of which 4 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Polk County, Arkansas?

The Ring-necked Snake is the most frequently reported snake in Polk County, Arkansas, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Polk County, Arkansas?

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.

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