Snakes in Cape Girardeau 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.

Every snake recorded in Cape Girardeau County

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Mississippi Green Watersnake

Nerodia cyclopion

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Cape Girardeau County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri?

Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, including Northern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead. Most snakes in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri?

20+ snake species have verified records in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, of which 3 are venomous.

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

The Northern Cottonmouth is the most frequently reported snake in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Cape Girardeau 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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