Snakes in Shelby County

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  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 Shelby County

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Black Kingsnake

Lampropeltis nigra

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Tantilla coronata

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Shelby County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Shelby County, Tennessee?

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

How many snake species live in Shelby County, Tennessee?

20+ snake species have verified records in Shelby County, Tennessee, of which 3 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Shelby County, Tennessee?

The Plain-bellied Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Shelby County, Tennessee, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Shelby County, Tennessee?

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.

Nearby counties