Arkansas is home to a wide variety of snakes, with over 36 species slithering through its forests, fields, and waterways.
While many people fear snakes, the truth is that most of them are harmless and play a vital role in controlling rodent populations.
Arkansas is home to a diverse range of snake species, both venomous and non-venomous. In total, there are around 40 different species found in the state. Some are aquatic, some terrestrial, and others arboreal. This variety makes Arkansas an interesting place for snake enthusiasts!
In this detailed guide we’ll take a look at the most common snakes found in Arkansas how to identify them, which ones are venomous, and how to safely interact with snakes you encounter.
How to Identify Snakes in Arkansas
When trying to identify a snake species there are a few key characteristics to look for
Color Patterns
The colors and patterns on a snake’s body can be very helpful for identification. For example, copperheads have hourglass shapes along their bodies while corn snakes have reddish-brown blotches.
Head Shape
Venomous snakes often have triangular-shaped heads compared to non-venomous species However, some harmless species, like hognose snakes, can also flatten their heads to appear more threatening.
Pupils
Most non-venomous snakes have round pupils while venomous pit vipers have vertical, cat-like pupils. Coral snakes are an exception with round pupils.
Scales
The scales along a snake’s underside can help differentiate species. Smooth scales indicate non-venomous while keeled scales often mean it’s venomous.
Size
Paying attention to the snake’s length and thickness can provide clues. Use size estimates along with other characteristics.
Habitat
Knowing whether the snake was encountered near water, in a tree, or buried underground can aid identification.
Venomous Snakes in Arkansas
Out of the 40 snake species in Arkansas, only 6 are venomous. Being able to identify venomous snakes is critical for safety. The venomous species found in the state include:
Copperhead (Frequency: 7)
Copperheads have hourglass-shaped dark brown bands over a tan body. They have heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils. Average length is 2-3 feet. Found throughout Arkansas in wooded areas.
Cottonmouth (Frequency: 5)
Also called water moccasins, these heavy-bodied snakes vary from black to brown. They have vertical pupils and a white interior mouth. Average length is 2-4 feet. Found statewide near water.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Frequency: 2)
Diamondbacks are large, gray snakes with dark diamond patterns down their ridged backs. They have a distinctive rattle on the tail. Average length is 3-7 feet. Found in west-central Arkansas.
Timber Rattlesnake (Frequency: 4)
Timbers have yellow, brown or gray bodies with dark bands or chevrons and a rusty stripe down the back. They also have a rattle on the tail. Average length is 3-5 feet. Found statewide in forested areas.
Pygmy Rattlesnake (Frequency: 3)
Pygmies are small gray or brown snakes with dark blotches and a rusty stripe down the back. They have small rattles on their tails. Average length is 1-2 feet. Found statewide in wooded areas.
Coral Snake (Frequency: 1)
Coral snakes have alternating red, yellow and black bands down their slender bodies. Average length is 1-2 feet. Found in southern Arkansas in wooded areas with sandy soil. Highly venomous but reclusive.
Most Common Non-Venomous Species
The remaining 34 snake species found in the state are non-venomous and generally harmless to humans. Here are some of the most frequently encountered:
Rat Snakes (Frequency: 7)
Several rat snake species are found statewide. They are large, plainly colored snakes that kill rodents. They may vibrate their tails when threatened. Average length 3-6 feet.
Garter Snakes (Frequency: 6)
Widespread generalist snakes with three light stripes down a brown or green body. Mildly venomous saliva. Average length 1-4 feet. Found statewide in moist areas.
Kingsnakes (Frequency: 4)
Kingsnakes have smooth and shiny scales in combinations of black, white, brown, red and yellow. Average length 2-4 feet. Found statewide in varied habitats.
Racers (Frequency: 3)
Very fast snakes that come in solid brown, blue-gray or black. Racers have smooth scales and lack distinctive markings. Average length 2-6 feet. Found statewide in open areas.
Water Snakes (Frequency: 6)
Heavy-bodied snakes with dark crossbands found statewide near water. Can be brown, gray or black. Average length 2-4 feet. Mildly venomous but not dangerous to humans.
Brownsnakes (Frequency: 4)
Small secretive snakes with brown or reddish bodies. Often have spots or flecks along their backs. Average length less than 1 foot. Found statewide in moist soil.
Green Snakes (Frequency: 2)
Slender bright green snakes with yellow or white bellies common in vegetation near water. Average length 1-3 feet. Completely harmless to humans.
Ringneck Snakes (Frequency: 5)
Small gray or black snakes with a distinctive yellow or orange neck ring. Average length 10-15 inches. Found statewide in moist wooded areas.
##Safely Observing and Interacting with Snakes
Most snakes want to avoid interactions with humans and bite only as a last resort. Here are some tips for safely viewing them without harm:
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Give snakes plenty of space and don’t try to touch or handle them.
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Avoid areas where you can’t clearly see the ground to avoid accidentally stepping on one.
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Watch for warning signs like hissing, rattling, inflating the head, or vibrating the tail.
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If you encounter a venomous snake, back away slowly until out of its striking range which is about half its body length.
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Teach children not to approach or try to pick up any snake without adult supervision.
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Don’t try to kill venomous snakes – this often leads to bites. Just leave them be.
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Call animal control to remove nuisance snakes rather than trying to relocate them yourself.
Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem and most are harmless if left alone. Following proper safety precautions allows Arkansans to safely appreciate these fascinating reptiles in their backyards and natural habitats. Always observe snakes from a distance and treat them with respect.
Snakes in Arkansas: The Nonvenomous
The good news is that majority of snakes in Arkansas are nonvenomous and completely harmless to humans. Some of the most common include:
- Rat Snakes – Excellent climbers and great at keeping rodent populations in check.
- Garter Snakes – Frequently seen in gardens and fields, these small snakes are harmless to humans.
- Milk Snakes – Often mistaken for coral snakes, they have a similar red, black, and white banding but lack venom.
- Water Snakes – Frequently confused with cottonmouths, these nonvenomous snakes are beneficial for the ecosystem.
- King Snakes – Immune to venom and known for eating other snakes, including venomous ones!
Snakes in Arkansas: The Venomous
There are six venomous snake species in Arkansas, all of which belong to the pit viper family except for the coral snake.
Here are the ones you don’t want to mess with:
- Western Diamondback Rattlesnake – Recognizable by its distinctive rattle and diamond-shaped patterns. This snake is found mostly in west central Arkansas, in upland rocky areas, open pine-hardwood forests and rocky outcrops.
- Timber Rattlesnake – They are a grayish, yellowish color with a more subtle pattern than the diamondback rattlesnake. They are found in the pine-hardwood forests and rocky or brushy fields and hillsides statewide.
- Western Pygmy Rattlesnake – A smaller rattlesnake with a gray and black tones and a rust color running down its back. It is found statewide in open brushy lowlands, open hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests.
- Copperhead – This is the most common venomous snake in the state and definitely the one that I’ve encountered most often. It is a tan/taupe snake/brownish snake with darker brown hourglass-shaped bands. It is found statewide in mixed pine-hardwood forests, bottomland hardwood forests, rocky or brushy fields and hillsides.
- Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) – This is a dark gray to blackish snake with an obscured pattern that lives in or near water. This semi-aquatic snake has a bright white mouth (cottonmouth) that it displays when threatened. You might see them in a variety of wetland habitats: swamps, oxbow lakes, sloughs, drainage ditches and streams.
- Texas Coral Snake – This is the only non pit viper in Arkansas and it is rare. This snake has alternating red, yellow, and black bands. It resembles another non-venomous snake and the rhyme “Red touches yellow, kill a fellow; red touches black, friend of Jack” can help you determine which one it is. This snake is found in the southwestern portion of state in moist pine, hardwood or mixed pine-hardwood forests with loose, sandy soils and pine straw, leaf litter and logs for cover.
I will say that I have done miles and miles of hiking and traipsing through the fields and forests of Arkansas and I have never even seen a rattlesnake or a coral snake. Maybe I’m just lucky.
I have, however, frequently spotted copperheads and cottonmouths and yep, seeing any snake in the wild (or in your yard) will give you a start!
Just remember that most snakes are slow to strike and will go to great lengths to avoid people.
Check out this site with photos to help you learn to identify the venomous and nonvenomous snakes in Arkansas!
Here are some more animals in Arkansas that you might be interested in learning about:
Highlights from a 100+ Snake Weekend in Arkansas! Lots of Cottonmouths and More in the Swamp!
FAQ
Are there any poisonous snakes in Arkansas?
Arkansas is home to 36 species of snakes, six of which are venomous. Most species of Arkansas snakes are found statewide or almost statewide in their distribution. However, a few are restricted to specific regions such as the Ozark Highlands or Ouachita Mountains.
What is the most snake-infested lake in Arkansas?
The three most snake-infested lakes in Arkansas are Lake Ouachita, Lake Fayetteville, and Greers Ferry Lake.
Where do snakes live in Arkansas?
Venomous snakes of Arkansas. Occurs statewide in mixed pine-hardwood forests, bottomland hardwood forests, rocky or brushy fields and hillsides.
What is the most common backyard snake?
- 1. Rat Snakes. Rat snakes come from the Colubridae snake family. …
- Garter Snakes. Garter snakes are small to medium-sized and often found in North America. …
- King Snakes. …
- Gopher Snakes. …
- Banded Water Snake.
Are there snakes in Arkansas?
Arkansas snakes come in various forms, colors, and sizes. Venomous snakes range from the tiny Western pygmy rattlesnake to the huge Western diamondback rattlesnake. The scarlet snake is one of many beautiful snake species in the region. Non-venomous snakes feature everything from tiny worm snakes to the black rat snake and North American racer.
Are rattlesnakes venomous in Arkansas?
Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnakes, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, and Texas Coralsnake species are all highly venomous and native to Arkansas. While they rarely bite, these snakes are highly venomous and require medical attention in case of a bite. Even non-venomous snakes in Arkansas can bite.
What is a snake with speckles in Arkansas?
A snake with speckles could be a speckled kingsnake or a water snake, but it isn’t a timber rattlesnake. Since there are only six venomous snake species in Arkansas, identifying them is fairly simple. Five of the six are vipers, and the sixth is a coral snake.
What do snakes eat in Arkansas?
They prey on rodents, insects, toads, frogs, crayfish, minnows and other snakes. Snakes are themselves food for hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, fish and many other species. Of the 39 species of native snakes in Arkansas, only six are venomous (Table 1). Several excellent resources are available for identifying snakes.
Can a venomous snake be killed in Arkansas?
Presumably a venomous snake which is endangering others, especially children, can be dispatched. Arkansas law does not allow killing of any snake indiscriminately for sport or other reasons. Instances where intent or motive are unclear may be decided in a court of law. If bitten by a venomous snake, move away to avoid further bites.
Where do king snakes live in Arkansas?
Although generally associated with coastal plains, the Red-bellied Snake is found near bodies of water in Arkansas. Its small size and elusive nature make it a rarely seen species. Prairie Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis calligaster) inhabit open fields, prairies, and grasslands, and can also be found around cultivated fields due to their rodent prey.