Mississippi
Snakes in Lafayette County
29 species have been documented here, 3 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Lafayette County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Northern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Eastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Timber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Every snake recorded in Lafayette County

Diamondback Watersnake
Nerodia rhombifer
Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Venomous

North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless

Gray Ratsnake
Pantherophis spiloides
Harmless

Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Harmless

Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis saurita
Harmless

Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus
Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless

Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless

Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venomous

Smooth Earthsnake
Virginia valeriae
Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Venomous

Red Cornsnake
Pantherophis guttatus
Harmless

Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
Harmless

Common Wormsnake
Carphophis amoenus
Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake
Lampropeltis holbrooki
Harmless

Rough Earthsnake
Virginia striatula
Harmless

Black Kingsnake
Lampropeltis nigra
Harmless

Mudsnake
Farancia abacura
Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus
Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster
Harmless

Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Harmless

Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Harmless

Scarletsnake
Cemophora coccinea
Harmless

Southeastern Crowned Snake
Tantilla coronata
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Lafayette County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Lafayette County, Mississippi?
- Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Lafayette County, Mississippi, including Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Lafayette County, Mississippi, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Lafayette County, Mississippi?
- 20+ snake species have verified records in Lafayette County, Mississippi, of which 3 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Lafayette County, Mississippi?
- The Diamondback Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Lafayette County, Mississippi, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Lafayette 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.