Snakes in Harris County

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Texas Coralsnake

  Micrurus tener

  ▲ Venomous

  Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.

• 
  Pygmy Rattlesnake

  Sistrurus miliarius

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Eastern Coralsnake

  Micrurus fulvius

  ▲ Venomous

  Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.

• 
  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 Harris County

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Texas Coralsnake

Micrurus tener

▲ Venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Saltmarsh Snake

Nerodia clarkii

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Brahminy Blindsnake

Indotyphlops braminus

Harmless

Graham's Crawfish Snake

Regina grahamii

Harmless

Mississippi Green Watersnake

Nerodia cyclopion

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

Eastern Coralsnake

Micrurus fulvius

▲ Venomous

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Glossy Swampsnake

Liodytes rigida

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Plains Hognose Snake

Heterodon nasicus

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Harris County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Harris County, Texas?

Yes. 6 venomous snake species have verified records in Harris County, Texas, including Eastern Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth, Texas Coralsnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Harris County, Texas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Harris County, Texas?

30+ snake species have verified records in Harris County, Texas, of which 6 are venomous.

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

The Banded Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Harris County, Texas, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Harris 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.

Nearby counties