Snakes in Polk 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.

• 
  Texas Coralsnake

  Micrurus tener

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Polk County

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Texas Coralsnake

Micrurus tener

▲ Venomous

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Western Milksnake

Lampropeltis gentilis

Harmless

Glossy Swampsnake

Liodytes rigida

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Polk County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Polk County, Texas?

Yes. 4 venomous snake species have verified records in Polk County, Texas, including Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, Texas Coralsnake. Most snakes in Polk County, Texas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Polk County, Texas?

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

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

The Western Ratsnake is the most frequently reported snake in Polk County, Texas, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Polk 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