Venomous animals in Iowa

Venomous species living here
64 venomous snakes, 2 venomous spiders

The ones that need the most respect: prairie rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.

Dangerous: 2Medically significant: 4
  • 2 dangerous
  • 4 medically significant
Venomous snakes
4
Venomous spiders
2
Scorpions
0
Centipedes
0
Open records
118
Counties with any record
16

Where they turn up in Iowa

Buchanan: Eastern massasaugaBoone: Brown recluseUnion: Eastern massasaugaPolk: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeMadison: Timber rattlesnakeVan Buren: CopperheadJones: Timber rattlesnakeMontgomery: Brown recluseBremer: Eastern massasaugaMills: Eastern massasaugaFayette: Eastern massasaugaPlymouth: Prairie rattlesnakeFremont: Eastern massasaugaJohnson: Eastern massasauga, Prairie rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnakeLee: Eastern massasauga, Timber rattlesnakeAllamakee: Timber rattlesnake
Number of venomous species with open GBIF records in each county. Blank counties often mean nobody has posted a record yet, not that nothing lives there.

Venomous snakes in Iowa

Venomous snakes in Iowa: map, photos and look-alikes

Venomous spiders in Iowa

Venomous spiders in Iowa: map, photos and look-alikes

When they are out

JanFebMarApr: 4 records (venomous snake)AprMay: 25 records (venomous snake)MayJun: 2 records (venomous snake)JunJul: 5 records (venomous snake)Jul: 2 records (spider)JulAug: 15 records (venomous snake)AugSep: 7 records (venomous snake)SepOct: 5 records (venomous snake)OctNovDec
Open records by month; most fall in May, August. People record animals when they are outdoors too, so winter looks quieter than it may be.

Harmless look-alikes in Iowa

Quick answers for Iowa

Questions

How many venomous snakes live in Iowa?

4 species: Prairie rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Eastern massasauga.

Are there brown recluse spiders in Iowa?

Yes. The brown recluse lives in Iowa. Open records come from 2 counties.

Are there scorpions in Iowa?

No. There are no open records of native scorpions from the state.

When are venomous animals most active in Iowa?

Most open records from Iowa fall in May, August. 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.

Neighboring states