Know the dangerous ones
Venomous snakes in Tarrant County, Texas
8 venomous snake species have verified records in Tarrant County. Learn to recognize each one, and know what to do if you are bitten.
Field entries
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.
Commonly seenFull profile →
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 →
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 →
Sistrurus tergeminus Western MassasaugaVenomousSistrurus tergeminus
How to identify
Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.
Occasionally 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 →
Sistrurus catenatus Eastern MassasaugaVenomousSistrurus catenatus
How to identify
Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.
Occasionally 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 →
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 →
Looking for all snakes here, not just the venomous ones? See all snakes in Tarrant County.