Snakes in Riley 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.

• 
  Eastern Massasauga

  Sistrurus catenatus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Riley County

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Flat-headed Snake

Tantilla gracilis

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Plains Garter Snake

Thamnophis radix

Harmless

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Pine Snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

Harmless

Plains Black-headed Snake

Tantilla nigriceps

Harmless

Smooth Greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

▲ Venomous

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Riley County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Riley County, Kansas?

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

How many snake species live in Riley County, Kansas?

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

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

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

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