Snakes in Chautauqua County

• 
  Broad-banded Copperhead

  Agkistrodon laticinctus

  ▲ 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.

• 
  Western Massasauga

  Sistrurus tergeminus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Chautauqua County

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Flat-headed Snake

Tantilla gracilis

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Broad-banded Copperhead

Agkistrodon laticinctus

▲ Venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Ground Snake

Sonora semiannulata

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Western Massasauga

Sistrurus tergeminus

▲ Venomous

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Great Plains Ground Snake

Sonora episcopa

Harmless

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Chautauqua County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Chautauqua County, Kansas?

Yes. 4 venomous snake species have verified records in Chautauqua County, Kansas, including Broad-banded Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead, Western Massasauga. Most snakes in Chautauqua County, Kansas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Chautauqua County, Kansas?

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

What is the most commonly seen snake in Chautauqua County, Kansas?

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

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Chautauqua County, Kansas?

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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