Snakes in Franklin 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.

• 
  Western Massasauga

  Sistrurus tergeminus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Franklin County

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Plains Garter Snake

Thamnophis radix

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Western Massasauga

Sistrurus tergeminus

▲ Venomous

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Graham's Crawfish Snake

Regina grahamii

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Franklin County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Franklin County, Kansas?

Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Franklin County, Kansas, including Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, Western Massasauga. Most snakes in Franklin County, Kansas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Franklin County, Kansas?

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

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

The Eastern Copperhead is the most frequently reported snake in Franklin County, Kansas, based on verified wildlife observations.

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