Snakes in Barry County

• 
  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.

• 
  Timber Rattlesnake

  Crotalus horridus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Barry County

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Flat-headed Snake

Tantilla gracilis

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Barry County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Barry County, Missouri?

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

How many snake species live in Barry County, Missouri?

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

What is the most commonly seen snake in Barry County, Missouri?

The Common Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Barry County, Missouri, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Barry County, Missouri?

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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