South Dakota
Snakes in Pennington County
11 species have been documented here, 1 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Pennington County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Prairie RattlesnakeCrotalus viridisVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Every snake recorded in Pennington County
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
Harmless
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Venomous
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Harmless
Plains Garter Snake
Thamnophis radix
Harmless
Smooth Greensnake
Opheodrys vernalis
Harmless
Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
Western Milksnake
Lampropeltis gentilis
Harmless
Plains Hognose Snake
Heterodon nasicus
Harmless
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Pennington County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Pennington County, South Dakota?
- Yes. 1 venomous snake species has verified records in Pennington County, South Dakota, including Prairie Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Pennington County, South Dakota, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Pennington County, South Dakota?
- 11 snake species have verified records in Pennington County, South Dakota, of which 1 is venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Pennington County, South Dakota?
- The Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is the most frequently reported snake in Pennington County, South Dakota, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Pennington County, South Dakota?
- 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.