Know the dangerous ones
Venomous snakes in Matagorda County, Texas
7 venomous snake species have verified records in Matagorda County. Learn to recognize each one, and know what to do if you are bitten.
Field entries
Agkistrodon piscivorus Northern CottonmouthVenomousAgkistrodon piscivorus
How to identify
Heavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Often seenFull profile →
Crotalus atrox Western Diamond-backed RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus atrox
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Occasionally seenFull profile →
Agkistrodon contortrix Eastern CopperheadVenomousAgkistrodon contortrix
How to identify
Heavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Occasionally seenFull profile →
Micrurus tener Texas CoralsnakeVenomousMicrurus tener
How to identify
Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
Rarely seenFull profile →
Crotalus horridus Timber RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus horridus
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Rarely seenFull profile →
Agkistrodon laticinctus Broad-banded CopperheadVenomousAgkistrodon laticinctus
How to identify
Heavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Rarely seenFull profile →
Sistrurus tergeminus Western MassasaugaVenomousSistrurus tergeminus
How to identify
Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.
Rarely seenFull profile →
Looking for all snakes here, not just the venomous ones? See all snakes in Matagorda County.