KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — All sorts of snakes are slithering across the Volunteer State as summer gets into full swing. Of Tennessees 32 different species of snakes, there are four in particular you should watch out for.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said July 16 was World Snake Day, which highlights the biggest obstacles that snakes often face. According to TWRA, snakes are highly effective predators and play a role in maintaining the balance of nature.
Advocates for Snake Preservation listed many reasons to celebrate the reptiles, including but not limited to their ability to be natural pest control.
“They eat vectors and carriers of many diseases, including The Plague and Lyme disease,” the group said. “Snakes won’t raid your garden or chew up your wires, but they will eat the critters that do.”
Twenty-eight of those snakes are virtually harmless to people, but four are venomous: The Copperhead, the Timber Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth and the Pygmy Rattlesnake. Heres what you need to know about these four snakes.
According to the agency, two subspecies are found in Tennessee: the Southern Copperhead which can be found in West Tennessee and the Northern Copperhead which can be found across the state.
The snake is described as medium-sized, heavy-bodied and can grow up to 36 inches in length. Copperhead snakes have large, triangular-shaped heads and vertical pupils. They also have distinctive brown “hourglass” crossbands that are wide on the sides and narrow at the center of the back, TWRA said.
“Body color is variable, but is usually light brown or gray,” TWRA said. “The belly is usually gray to pink with darker blotches. Facial pits occur on each side of the head between the eye and nostril and a little below.”
These snakes can often be found in forested habitats. They avoid open areas such as pastures and fields. Copperheads tend to be found on rocky or wooded hillsides with plenty of rocks for cover.
“Copperheads can also be found in urban and suburban environments, as well as near wetlands and stream edges,” the agency said.
Their diets often consist of mice, but can also consist of small birds, lizards, other snakes, amphibians and insects.
The copperheads bite is painful, but its venom is usually not potent enough to be fatal on its own. Obviously, you wouldnt want to be bitten by one, so dont provoke or approach one if you see it.
The Timber Rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the four venomous snakes within the state, according to TWRA. These reclusive snakes are one of two venomous snakes that can be found in East Tennessee, with the other being the Northern Copperhead.
These snakes tend to be large and heavy-bodied, growing up to 60 inches, or around five feet, in length. Timber Rattlesnakes have a triangular head, vertical pupils and the characteristic rattle at the end of the tail, TWRA said.
The color of these snakes can often vary drastically but tend to be gray with a black tail.
“Other colors may include yellow, tan, brown, pink, dark brown, or black,” the resource agency said. “Black chevron-shaped crossbands occur all down the body. Typically rust-colored stripes occur down the center of the back.”
This species is often found in heavily wooded forests with rocky, south-facing hillsides, TWRA said. They can also be found around mountains, swamps, cane thickets, wooded stream corridors and rural habitats.
“It is common to see Timber Rattlesnakes coiled near fallen logs or sunning on rocks,” according to TWRA.
TWRA said the diet of the Timber Rattlesnake consists of small rodents such as mice, rats, chipmunks and squirrels but can often include birds, lizards and other small mammals.
“Prey is killed by a venomous bite, in which the venom is injected by fangs located in the snakes mouth,” TWRA said.
These snakes tend to stay away from places where people dwell, but if you ever come across one: Never attempt to approach it or handle it. Their bite is potentially fatal.
The venomous Cottonmouth snake, also known as the “water moccasin,” can be found in West Tennessee, according to TWRA.
TWRA describes this species as large and heavy-bodied, growing up to 42 inches in length. Cottonmouths have keeled scales, vertical pupils and a triangular head.
“Western Cottonmouths are dark olive-brown to almost black with dark crossbands that may not be visible,” TWRA said. “The top of the head is dark brown or black and a dark, wide band may be visible from the snout through the eye and onto the neck.”
This species is often found in swamps, sloughs, wetlands and drainage ditches. They can also be found around rivers and lakes, according to the agency.
“They can be found swimming in the water, coiled on the bank, or in vegetation along the shore,” TWRA said.
The Cottonmouth snake is often confused with other non-venomous water-dwelling snakes but luckily is not found in East Tennessee. However, the bite of the snake can cause temporary or even permanent tissue damage, internal bleeding and extreme pain.
The final of the four venomous snakes found within the state is the Pygmy Rattlesnake. According to TWRA, this species is one of the smallest and least known venomous snakes in the state.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency describes the snake as small and colorful, growing only to a maximum of around 20 inches in length.
“The body color is gray or tan with an orangish-brown mid-dorsal stripe usually present,” TWRA said. “There are dark blotches, typically bar-shaped, running along the length of the back with one or two rows of dark spots along each side of the body.”
According to the wildlife agency, the Pygmy Rattlesnake has a wide, black stripe that starts at the eye and slopes down to the corner of the mouth. the young of this species have yellow-tipped tails.
This species of rattlesnake is seen in a variety of habitats, according to TWRA, but is usually found in close proximity to water. This species is often in flood plains, wetlands and moist fields.
“Eastern Pygmy Rattlesnake is listed as Threatened by TWRA and considered rare to very rare and imperiled by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation,” TWRA said.
The Pygmy Rattlesnake bite can be painful, however, their bite is generally not life-threatening to people. Bites from this species can be more serious to children or small pets.
Tennessee’s diverse ecosystems are home to a wide variety of snake species, both venomous and non-venomous Snakes play an important role in the state’s ecology, but they also elicit fear and fascination for many residents and visitors. This article provides an overview of the most common snakes found in Tennessee, how to identify them, where they live, and how to safely interact with them
Venomous Snakes
Tennessee is home to 4 species of venomous snakes
- Copperheads
- Cottonmouths
- Timber Rattlesnakes
- Pygmy Rattlesnakes
These snakes all possess hemotoxic venom that can cause severe tissue damage in humans if left untreated. Bites should always be considered a medical emergency. Fortunately, fatalities are rare as long as prompt medical care is received.
Venomous snakes will typically only bite if threatened or handled. It’s best to give them space and not approach or try to kill them. Their venom is valuable for their survival, so they prefer not to waste it on something too big to eat.
Non-Venomous Snakes
The majority of snakes in Tennessee are non-venomous and generally harmless to humans. Some of the most frequently encountered species include:
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Garter Snakes – Thin snakes with striped patterns that thrive in moist environments.
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Water Snakes – Often mistaken for Cottonmouths due to their aquatic nature. Distinguished by blotches rather band patterns.
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Black Rat Snakes – Large, mostly black snakes that prey on rodents. Known to climb trees.
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Ringneck Snakes – Tiny, secretive snakes with bright orange bellies. Love hiding under rocks and logs.
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Kingsnakes – Effective constrictors that eat other snakes, including venomous ones. Some have striking color patterns.
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Green Snakes – Slender green snakes that live in trees and shrubs.
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Brown Snakes – A group of tiny, secretive brown snakes that feed on earthworms and insects.
Even non-venomous snakes can bite in self-defense, but their small teeth are unlikely to break skin. As long as they are not threatened, most Tennessee snakes will keep their distance or flee from humans if given the opportunity.
Ideal Snake Habitats in Tennessee
Snakes occupy nearly every type of habitat in Tennessee, from mountains to swamps. But some regions have environmental features that make them more attractive to certain species:
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Wetlands, rivers, lakes – Ideal for water snakes, Cottonmouths, and other aquatic species. Watch for snakes swimming or basking on vegetation along the water’s edge.
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Rocky glades and hillsides – Provides shelter for Copperheads, Timber Rattlesnakes, Kingsnakes and others that utilize rock crevices for shelter.
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Forests – Especially pine forests. Expect to see Rat Snakes, Garter Snakes, Green Snakes and more hunting among the trees and leaf litter.
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Farmland – Black Rat Snakes, Milk Snakes, and Garter Snakes are drawn by rodents and birds that live on farms. Watch for them in barns and crop fields.
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Suburban neighborhoods – Attracts rodent-eaters like Black Rat Snakes, Kingsnakes, and Garter Snakes. Check woodpiles and under decks.
When & Where to Spot Snakes in Tennessee
The best times and places to spot snakes in Tennessee include:
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Early spring – Snakes emerge from hibernation in March and April, hungry and actively hunting on warm sunny days. Focus search in open rocky areas.
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Summer evenings – Snakes seek refuge from midday heat but resume hunting in the cooler evening hours. Listen for Rattlesnakes near creeks and rivers.
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After rain storms – The ground is cooled and wet, creating ideal conditions for snakes to venture out. Check pond edges and low-lying areas.
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On rural roads – Roadways attract snakes warming themselves on the sun-baked pavement. Drive slowly along country roads to spot them.
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Near water – Basking Cottonmouths, swimming Water Snakes, and hunting Garter Snakes are common sights along wetlands, lakes, and streams.
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Under cover – Flip boards, logs, rocks, and debris to find snakes taking refuge, like Copperheads, Kingsnakes, and Brown Snakes. Just remember to replace their cover afterward.
Staying Safe Around Tennessee Snakes
Most snake bites happen when people accidentally step on or otherwise touch snakes. A few precautions can reduce your chances of accidental encounters:
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Watch your step in snake-prone areas like rocky glades, fallen logs, and leaf piles. Avoid stepping blindly.
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Don’t reach into crevices or under objects without looking first. Rattlesnakes like to hide in cracks.
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Leave snakes alone. Don’t try to kill them. Even “dead” snakes can still bite by reflex.
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Teach children to admire snakes from a distance and to tell an adult if they spot one.
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Keep yard clear of debris piles and trim vegetation back from the home’s perimeter. This eliminates snake hiding spots.
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Inside, plug openings in foundations and walls to prevent snakes from entering. Look before grabbing stored items.
Understanding snakes and exercising sensible precautions allows us to co-exist with these fascinating reptiles even as development encroaches on wild areas. With some awareness and respect for snakes, we can enjoy Tennessee’s outdoors and still avoid risky encounters.
Other snakes found in the state that are not venomous
- Eastern Wormsnake
- Scarlet snake
- North American Racer
- Ring-necked Snake
- Red Cornsnake
- Gray Ratsnake
- Red-bellied Mudsnake
- Easter Hog-nosed Snake
- Yellow-bellied Kingsnake
- Common Kingsnake
- Milksnake
- Coachwhip
- Mississippi Green Watersnake
- Plain-bellied Watersnake
- Southern Watersnake
- Diamond-backed Watersnake
- Northern Watersnake
- Rough Green snake
- Pine snake
- Queen Snake
- DeKays Brown snake
- red-bellied Snake
- Southeastern Crown Snake
- Western Ribbonsnake
- Eastern Ribbonsnake
- Common Gartersnake
- Rough Earrthsnake
- Smooth Earthsnake
More information about the snakes of Tennessee can be found on TWRAs Website.
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Are there venomous snakes in TN?
FAQ
What is the most common snake in Tennessee?
Common Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis.
What poisonous snakes are in Tennessee?
Tennessee is home to 35 types of snakes in total. Four of those types are venomous: Copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake and pygmy rattlesnake.
Are snakes a problem in Tennessee?
The state of Tennessee has approximately 32 species of snakes along with some sub-specie varieties. There are only 4 of these snake species within the state boundaries that are venomous. Snakes are not out to get us. They actually prefer to stay away from humans.
What snake is mistaken for a copperhead?
Oftentimes, people think they have come across a copperhead; however, often it is a non-venomous species that falls victim to mistaken identity. Some common non-venomous snake species that are mistaken for the copperhead are the corn snake, juvenile rat snake, and the northern water snake.