Kansas
Snakes in Osage County
20 species have been documented here, 3 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Osage County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Eastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Western MassasaugaSistrurus tergeminusVenomousStout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.
Timber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Every snake recorded in Osage County
Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
Harmless
Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venomous
Common Wormsnake
Carphophis amoenus
Harmless
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Harmless
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Harmless
Lined Snake
Tropidoclonion lineatum
Harmless
Western Massasauga
Sistrurus tergeminus
Venomous
Graham's Crawfish Snake
Regina grahamii
Harmless
Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster
Harmless
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Harmless
Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Harmless
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Harmless
Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless
Western Worm Snake
Carphophis vermis
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Venomous
Diamondback Watersnake
Nerodia rhombifer
Harmless
Red Cornsnake
Pantherophis guttatus
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Osage County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Osage County, Kansas?
- Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Osage County, Kansas, including Eastern Copperhead, Western Massasauga, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Osage County, Kansas, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Osage County, Kansas?
- 20+ snake species have verified records in Osage County, Kansas, of which 3 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Osage County, Kansas?
- The Common Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Osage County, Kansas, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Osage 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.