Venomous animals in Nebraska

Venomous species living here
84 venomous snakes, 2 venomous spiders, 1 scorpion, 1 large centipede

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

Dangerous: 2Medically significant: 4Painful, rarely serious: 2
  • 2 dangerous
  • 4 medically significant
  • 2 painful, rarely serious
Venomous snakes
4
Venomous spiders
2
Scorpions
1
Centipedes
1
Open records
450
Counties with any record
36

Where they turn up in Nebraska

Chase: Prairie rattlesnakeThomas: Prairie rattlesnakeCuster: Western massasaugaGosper: Prairie rattlesnakeSaline: Brown recluseBlaine: Prairie rattlesnakeKearney: Prairie rattlesnakePawnee: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnake, Western massasaugaKimball: Prairie rattlesnakeRichardson: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnake, Western massasaugaRed Willow: Prairie rattlesnakeBox Butte: Prairie rattlesnakeHayes: Prairie rattlesnakeCherry: Prairie rattlesnakeDouglas: Arizona bark scorpion, Black widow, Brown recluseLancaster: Brown recluseBoyd: Prairie rattlesnakeCass: Timber rattlesnakeGage: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnake, Western massasaugaSheridan: Prairie rattlesnakeSioux: Black widow, Northern scorpion, Prairie rattlesnakeGarden: Prairie rattlesnakeDundy: Prairie rattlesnakeThayer: Striped bark scorpion, Tiger centipedeFrontier: Prairie rattlesnakeScotts Bluff: Black widow, Prairie rattlesnake, Tiger centipedeGrant: Prairie rattlesnakeJefferson: Western massasaugaLincoln: Prairie rattlesnakeFranklin: Striped bark scorpionMorrill: Prairie rattlesnakeKeya Paha: Prairie rattlesnakeCheyenne: Prairie rattlesnakeBanner: Prairie rattlesnakeKnox: Prairie rattlesnakeKeith: Prairie rattlesnake, Tiger centipede
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 Nebraska

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

Venomous spiders in Nebraska

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

Scorpions in Nebraska

Scorpions in Nebraska: map, photos and look-alikes

Centipedes in Nebraska

Centipedes in Nebraska: map, photos and look-alikes

When they are out

JanFeb: 2 records (venomous snake)FebMar: 1 records (venomous snake)Mar: 1 records (large centipede)MarApr: 27 records (venomous snake)Apr: 1 records (spider)Apr: 1 records (scorpion)Apr: 1 records (large centipede)AprMay: 33 records (venomous snake)May: 2 records (spider)May: 2 records (scorpion)May: 1 records (large centipede)MayJun: 35 records (venomous snake)Jun: 4 records (spider)Jun: 1 records (scorpion)JunJul: 29 records (venomous snake)Jul: 2 records (spider)Jul: 5 records (scorpion)Jul: 1 records (large centipede)JulAug: 23 records (venomous snake)Aug: 10 records (spider)Aug: 1 records (large centipede)AugSep: 63 records (venomous snake)Sep: 3 records (spider)Sep: 3 records (scorpion)SepOct: 43 records (venomous snake)Oct: 2 records (spider)OctNov: 5 records (venomous snake)NovDec: 17 records (venomous snake)Dec: 1 records (spider)Dec
Open records by month; most fall in May to June, September to October. People record animals when they are outdoors too, so winter looks quieter than it may be.

Recorded, but not living here

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 Nebraska

Quick answers for Nebraska

Questions

How many venomous snakes live in Nebraska?

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

Are there brown recluse spiders in Nebraska?

Yes. The brown recluse lives in Nebraska. Open records come from 3 counties.

Are there scorpions in Nebraska?

Yes: Striped bark scorpion.

When are venomous animals most active in Nebraska?

Most open records from Nebraska fall in May to June, September to October. 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