Snakes in Clay County

• 
  Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

  Crotalus atrox

  ▲ 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.

• 
  Western Massasauga

  Sistrurus tergeminus

  ▲ Venomous

  Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.

• 
  Broad-banded Copperhead

  Agkistrodon laticinctus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Clay County

Ground Snake

Sonora semiannulata

Harmless

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

▲ Venomous

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Texas Blind Snake

Rena dulcis

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Checkered Garter Snake

Thamnophis marcianus

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Plains Black-headed Snake

Tantilla nigriceps

Harmless

Western Massasauga

Sistrurus tergeminus

▲ Venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Chihuahuan Nightsnake

Hypsiglena jani

Harmless

Graham's Crawfish Snake

Regina grahamii

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Plains Hognose Snake

Heterodon nasicus

Harmless

Long-nosed Snake

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Harmless

Glossy Snake

Arizona elegans

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Broad-banded Copperhead

Agkistrodon laticinctus

▲ Venomous

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Clay County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Clay County, Texas?

Yes. 4 venomous snake species have verified records in Clay County, Texas, including Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Northern Cottonmouth, Western Massasauga, Broad-banded Copperhead. Most snakes in Clay County, Texas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Clay County, Texas?

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

What is the most commonly seen snake in Clay County, Texas?

The Ground Snake is the most frequently reported snake in Clay County, Texas, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Clay County, Texas?

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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