Are there rattlesnakes in Louisiana?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake: Yes. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake lives in Louisiana. Open records from the state are scarce, but it is part of the documented range.
Western diamondback rattlesnake: Only as rare records. GBIF holds 2 open records of the western diamondback rattlesnake from Louisiana, but there is no known population.
Timber rattlesnake: Yes. The timber rattlesnake lives in Louisiana. Open records come from 25 counties.
Black-tailed rattlesnake: Only as rare records. GBIF holds 1 open record of the black-tailed rattlesnake from Louisiana, but there is no known population.
Pygmy rattlesnake: Yes. The pygmy rattlesnake lives in Louisiana. Open records come from 22 counties.
Western massasauga: Only as rare records. GBIF holds 1 open record of the western massasauga from Louisiana, but there is no known population.
Where in Louisiana
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Rattlesnakes across the US
- Lives here
- Rare records
- Gone
- Not here
How to recognize them
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake Crotalus adamanteus
- Dark diamonds with pale yellow edges down the back
- Two pale diagonal stripes on each side of the face
- Thick body and a rattle on the tail
Dangerous. A large snake with a big venom yield. A bite is a medical emergency.
Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus
- Dark V- or chevron-shaped bands across the back
- Black tail ending in a rattle
- Yellow, tan or dark phases; some are almost black
Dangerous. Usually calm and slow to strike, but a bite is a medical emergency.
Pygmy rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius
- Small with a thin tail and a tiny rattle that sounds like a buzzing insect
- Gray or tan with dark round blotches
- Often a reddish stripe down the spine
Medically significant. Small venom yield, and deaths are extremely rare, but bites are painful and need medical care.
Often mistaken for rattlesnakes
- Rattlesnake vs Gopher Snake Gopher snake: harmless
- Eastern Diamondback vs Timber Rattlesnake Timber rattlesnake: dangerous, lives in Louisiana
- Timber Rattlesnake vs Copperhead Copperhead: medically significant, lives in Louisiana
- Western Diamondback vs Mojave Rattlesnake Mojave rattlesnake: dangerous
- Pygmy Rattlesnake vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake: harmless, lives in Louisiana
Questions
Are there rattlesnakes in Louisiana?
Yes. 3 species live in Louisiana: Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake and Pygmy rattlesnake.
What do rattlesnakes look like?
Dark diamonds with pale yellow edges down the back. Two pale diagonal stripes on each side of the face. Thick body and a rattle on the tail.