Venomous snakes in Kansas
Venomous snakes living in Kansas
4species, plus 3 with rare records
Prairie rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead, Western massasauga. A bite from any of these is a medical emergency.
How to recognize them
Prairie rattlesnakeDangerous606 records, 43 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous300 records, 26 counties
CopperheadMedically significant908 records, 37 counties
Western massasaugaMedically significant509 records, 63 counties
Prairie rattlesnake Crotalus viridis
- Greenish gray to brown with dark blotches down the back
- Blotches narrow into bands near the tail
- Two pale lines on the side of the face
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
Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix
- Copper to tan body with dark hourglass bands: wide on the sides, narrow on the spine
- Plain coppery head with no pattern
- Young snakes have a bright yellow-green tail tip
Western massasauga Sistrurus tergeminus
- Pale gray with dark brown blotches down the back
- Small rattle
- Nine large plates on top of the head
Every venomous snake species known from the US is on this site.
Counties with records
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Active months
Rare records
- Rare records Western diamondback rattlesnake 11 open records, latest 2017
- Rare records Cottonmouth 8 open records, latest 2021
- Rare records Pygmy rattlesnake 1 open record, latest 1979
Harmless snakes people mistake for them
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Corn Snake Corn snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake: harmless
Water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Northern water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Diamondback water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Eastern hognose snakeHarmlessHarmless
Corn snakeHarmlessHarmless
Rat snakeHarmlessHarmless
Milk snakeHarmlessHarmless
Gopher snakeHarmlessHarmless
Quick answers
- Lives here Are there rattlesnakes in Kansas?
- Lives here Are there copperheads in Kansas?
- Rare records Are there cottonmouths in Kansas?
- Not here Are there coral snakes in Kansas?
Questions
How many venomous snakes are in Kansas?
4 species live in the state: Prairie rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Western massasauga.
Which venomous snakes in Kansas are dangerous?
Prairie rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Western massasauga: a bite is a medical emergency.
When are venomous snakes most active in Kansas?
Most open records fall in April to May, September.
Which harmless snakes get mistaken for venomous ones in Kansas?
Northern water snake, Corn snake, Rat snake and Milk snake. See the side-by-side comparisons below.