Snakes in Elk County

• 
  Western Massasauga

  Sistrurus tergeminus

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  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.

• 
  Broad-banded Copperhead

  Agkistrodon laticinctus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Elk County

Flat-headed Snake

Tantilla gracilis

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Western Massasauga

Sistrurus tergeminus

▲ Venomous

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Broad-banded Copperhead

Agkistrodon laticinctus

▲ Venomous

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Plains Hognose Snake

Heterodon nasicus

Harmless

Graham's Crawfish Snake

Regina grahamii

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Elk County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Elk County, Kansas?

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

How many snake species live in Elk County, Kansas?

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

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

The Flat-headed Snake is the most frequently reported snake in Elk County, Kansas, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Elk 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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