Venomous animals in Louisiana
The ones that need the most respect: cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Texas coral snake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 5 dangerous
- 4 medically significant
- 3 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in Louisiana
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in Louisiana
CottonmouthDangerous1,469 records, 53 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous191 records, 25 counties
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakeDangerous4 records, 0 counties
Texas coral snakeDangerous175 records, 16 counties
Eastern coral snakeDangerous39 records, 6 counties
CopperheadMedically significant671 records, 33 counties
Pygmy rattlesnakeMedically significant217 records, 22 counties
Venomous snakes in Louisiana: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in Louisiana
Black widowMedically significant30 records, 12 counties
Brown recluseMedically significant1 record, 1 county
TarantulaPainful, rarely serious8 records, 3 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious32 records, 9 counties
Venomous spiders in Louisiana: map, photos and look-alikes
Scorpions in Louisiana
Scorpions in Louisiana: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
- Scorpions
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Western diamondback rattlesnake 2 open records
- Rare records Black-tailed rattlesnake 1 open record
- Rare records Western massasauga 1 open record
- Rare records Southern devil scorpion 3 open records, latest 2020
- Rare records Giant desert centipede 5 open records, latest 2023
- Rare records Hentz striped scorpion 1 open record, latest 2017
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 Louisiana
- 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
- 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 Louisiana
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Lives here Cottonmouths
- Lives here Coral snakes
- Lives here Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
- Lives here Tarantulas
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in Louisiana?
7 species: Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Texas coral snake, Eastern coral snake, Copperhead and Pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in Louisiana?
Yes. The brown recluse lives in Louisiana. Open records come from 1 county.
Are there scorpions in Louisiana?
Yes: Striped bark scorpion.
When are venomous animals most active in Louisiana?
Most open records from Louisiana fall in March to July. 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.