Texas
Snakes in Ellis County
25 species have been documented here, 6 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Ellis County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Eastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Broad-banded CopperheadAgkistrodon laticinctusVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Western Diamond-backed RattlesnakeCrotalus atroxVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Timber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Northern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Texas CoralsnakeMicrurus tenerVenomousRings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
Every snake recorded in Ellis County
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Harmless
Rough Earthsnake
Virginia striatula
Harmless
Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venomous
Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Broad-banded Copperhead
Agkistrodon laticinctus
Venomous
Western Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus
Harmless
Diamondback Watersnake
Nerodia rhombifer
Harmless
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Venomous
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Harmless
Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus
Harmless
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
Harmless
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Harmless
Speckled Kingsnake
Lampropeltis holbrooki
Harmless
Great Plains Ratsnake
Pantherophis emoryi
Harmless
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Venomous
Northern Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Venomous
Texas Coralsnake
Micrurus tener
Venomous
Flat-headed Snake
Tantilla gracilis
Harmless
Graham's Crawfish Snake
Regina grahamii
Harmless
Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
Harmless
Brahminy Blindsnake
Indotyphlops braminus
Harmless
Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster
Harmless
Texas Blind Snake
Rena dulcis
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Ellis County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Ellis County, Texas?
- Yes. 6 venomous snake species have verified records in Ellis County, Texas, including Eastern Copperhead, Broad-banded Copperhead, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Ellis County, Texas, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Ellis County, Texas?
- 20+ snake species have verified records in Ellis County, Texas, of which 6 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Ellis County, Texas?
- The Western Ratsnake is the most frequently reported snake in Ellis County, Texas, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Ellis 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.