Snakes in Pottawatomie County

• 
  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.

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ 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 Pottawatomie County

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Flat-headed Snake

Tantilla gracilis

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

▲ Venomous

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Pine Snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Western Massasauga

Sistrurus tergeminus

▲ Venomous

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Pottawatomie County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Pottawatomie County, Kansas?

Yes. 5 venomous snake species have verified records in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, including Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga, Eastern Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth. Most snakes in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Pottawatomie County, Kansas?

20+ snake species have verified records in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, of which 5 are venomous.

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

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

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