Snakes in Orleans County

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ 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.

• 
  Pygmy Rattlesnake

  Sistrurus miliarius

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Orleans County

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Mississippi Green Watersnake

Nerodia cyclopion

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Harmless

Brahminy Blindsnake

Indotyphlops braminus

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Glossy Swampsnake

Liodytes rigida

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

Saltmarsh Snake

Nerodia clarkii

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Black Kingsnake

Lampropeltis nigra

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Orleans County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Orleans County, Louisiana?

Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Orleans County, Louisiana, including Northern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Orleans County, Louisiana, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Orleans County, Louisiana?

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

What is the most commonly seen snake in Orleans County, Louisiana?

The DeKay's Brownsnake is the most frequently reported snake in Orleans County, Louisiana, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Orleans County, Louisiana?

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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