Snakes in Saint Clair County

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ 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 Massasauga

  Sistrurus catenatus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Saint Clair County

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Graham's Crawfish Snake

Regina grahamii

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

▲ Venomous

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Saint Clair County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Saint Clair County, Illinois?

Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Saint Clair County, Illinois, including Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga. Most snakes in Saint Clair County, Illinois, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Saint Clair County, Illinois?

20+ snake species have verified records in Saint Clair County, Illinois, of which 3 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Saint Clair County, Illinois?

The Common Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Saint Clair County, Illinois, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Saint Clair County, Illinois?

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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