Kansas
Snakes in Shawnee County
18 species have been documented here, 3 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Shawnee 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 Shawnee County
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Harmless
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Harmless
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
Harmless
Lined Snake
Tropidoclonion lineatum
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster
Harmless
Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venomous
Speckled Kingsnake
Lampropeltis holbrooki
Harmless
Plains Garter Snake
Thamnophis radix
Harmless
Western Massasauga
Sistrurus tergeminus
Venomous
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Harmless
Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Harmless
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Harmless
Western Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus
Harmless
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Venomous
Smooth Earthsnake
Virginia valeriae
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Shawnee County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Shawnee County, Kansas?
- Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Shawnee County, Kansas, including Eastern Copperhead, Western Massasauga, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Shawnee County, Kansas, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Shawnee County, Kansas?
- 10+ snake species have verified records in Shawnee County, Kansas, of which 3 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Shawnee County, Kansas?
- The Ring-necked Snake is the most frequently reported snake in Shawnee County, Kansas, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Shawnee 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.