Snakes in Tarrant County

• 
  Broad-banded Copperhead

  Agkistrodon laticinctus

  ▲ 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.

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ 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.

• 
  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.

• 
  Eastern Massasauga

  Sistrurus catenatus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Tarrant County

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Western Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis proximus

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Diamondback Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Harmless

Broad-banded Copperhead

Agkistrodon laticinctus

▲ Venomous

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Texas Blind Snake

Rena dulcis

Harmless

Speckled Kingsnake

Lampropeltis holbrooki

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Flat-headed Snake

Tantilla gracilis

Harmless

Western Massasauga

Sistrurus tergeminus

▲ Venomous

Ground Snake

Sonora semiannulata

Harmless

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

▲ Venomous

Great Plains Ratsnake

Pantherophis emoryi

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

▲ Venomous

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Graham's Crawfish Snake

Regina grahamii

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Great Plains Ground Snake

Sonora episcopa

Harmless

Brahminy Blindsnake

Indotyphlops braminus

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Tarrant County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Tarrant County, Texas?

Yes. 6 venomous snake species have verified records in Tarrant County, Texas, including Broad-banded Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Copperhead, Western Massasauga. Most snakes in Tarrant County, Texas, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Tarrant County, Texas?

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

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

The Plain-bellied Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Tarrant County, Texas, based on verified wildlife observations.

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