Snakes in Rapides 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.

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Texas Coralsnake

  Micrurus tener

  ▲ Venomous

  Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.

• 
  Pygmy Rattlesnake

  Sistrurus miliarius

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Eastern Coralsnake

  Micrurus fulvius

  ▲ Venomous

  Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.

Every snake recorded in Rapides County

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Texas Coralsnake

Micrurus tener

▲ Venomous

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Glossy Swampsnake

Liodytes rigida

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Graham's Crawfish Snake

Regina grahamii

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

Eastern Coralsnake

Micrurus fulvius

▲ Venomous

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Rapides County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Rapides County, Louisiana?

Yes. 6 venomous snake species have verified records in Rapides County, Louisiana, including Northern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead, Texas Coralsnake. Most snakes in Rapides County, Louisiana, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Rapides County, Louisiana?

20+ snake species have verified records in Rapides County, Louisiana, of which 6 are venomous.

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

The Northern Cottonmouth is the most frequently reported snake in Rapides County, Louisiana, based on verified wildlife observations.

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