Venomous animals in Alabama
The ones that need the most respect: cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern coral snake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 4 dangerous
- 4 medically significant
- 2 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in Alabama
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in Alabama
CottonmouthDangerous259 records, 40 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous281 records, 45 counties
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakeDangerous47 records, 9 counties
Eastern coral snakeDangerous33 records, 9 counties
CopperheadMedically significant241 records, 55 counties
Pygmy rattlesnakeMedically significant77 records, 23 counties
Venomous snakes in Alabama: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in Alabama
Black widowMedically significant34 records, 17 counties
Brown recluseMedically significant24 records, 7 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious17 records, 7 counties
Venomous spiders in Alabama: map, photos and look-alikes
Scorpions in Alabama
Scorpions in Alabama: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
- Scorpions
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Hentz striped scorpion 2 open records
A rare record means someone found or reported the animal once or a few times, but there is no known population. Many are strays, pets or hitchhikers in cargo.
Harmless look-alikes in Alabama
- Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider Wolf spider is harmless
- Coral Snake vs King Snake Scarlet kingsnake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Water Snake Water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Banded Water Snake Banded water snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Corn Snake Corn snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake is harmless
- Brown Recluse vs Cellar Spider Cellar spider is harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Brown Recluse vs Southern House Spider Southern house spider is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Diamondback Water Snake Diamondback water snake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Brown Water Snake Brown water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Scarlet Snake Scarlet snake is harmless
- Pygmy Rattlesnake vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
Quick answers for Alabama
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Lives here Cottonmouths
- Lives here Coral snakes
- Lives here Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
- Not here Tarantulas
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in Alabama?
6 species: Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Eastern coral snake, Copperhead and Pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in Alabama?
Yes. The brown recluse lives in Alabama. Open records come from 7 counties.
Are there scorpions in Alabama?
Yes: Southern devil scorpion.
When are venomous animals most active in Alabama?
Most open records from Alabama fall in April to June, August to September. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.
What should I do after a bite or sting?
Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.