Snakes in Jefferson County

• 
  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.

Every snake recorded in Jefferson County

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Flat-headed Snake

Tantilla gracilis

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Jefferson County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Jefferson County, Missouri?

Yes. 2 venomous snake species have verified records in Jefferson County, Missouri, including Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Jefferson County, Missouri, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Jefferson County, Missouri?

20+ snake species have verified records in Jefferson County, Missouri, of which 2 are venomous.

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

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

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