Snakes in Hancock County

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Pygmy Rattlesnake

  Sistrurus miliarius

  ▲ 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.

• 
  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 Hancock County

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Tantilla coronata

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Harmless

Pine Woods Littersnake

Rhadinaea flavilata

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Saltmarsh Snake

Nerodia clarkii

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Eastern Coralsnake

Micrurus fulvius

▲ Venomous

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Hancock County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Hancock County, Mississippi?

Yes. 4 venomous snake species have verified records in Hancock County, Mississippi, including Northern Cottonmouth, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead, Eastern Coralsnake. Most snakes in Hancock County, Mississippi, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Hancock County, Mississippi?

20+ snake species have verified records in Hancock County, Mississippi, of which 4 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Hancock County, Mississippi?

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

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Hancock County, Mississippi?

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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