Venomous animals in Tennessee
The ones that need the most respect: cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 2 dangerous
- 4 medically significant
- 1 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in Tennessee
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in Tennessee
CottonmouthDangerous186 records, 17 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous87 records, 24 counties
CopperheadMedically significant278 records, 34 counties
Pygmy rattlesnakeMedically significant9 records, 1 county
Venomous snakes in Tennessee: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in Tennessee
Black widowMedically significant58 records, 23 counties
Brown recluseMedically significant47 records, 10 counties
Venomous spiders in Tennessee: map, photos and look-alikes
Scorpions in Tennessee
Scorpions in Tennessee: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
- Scorpions
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Western diamondback rattlesnake 4 open records, latest 1932
- Rare records Eastern coral snake 1 open record
- Rare records Striped bark scorpion 4 open records, latest 2023
- Rare records Brown widow 2 open records, latest 2022
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 Tennessee
- Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider Wolf spider is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Water Snake Water snake is harmless
- Black Widow vs False Widow False widow 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
- Cottonmouth vs Diamondback Water Snake Diamondback water 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 Tennessee
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Lives here Cottonmouths
- Rare records Coral snakes
- Lives here Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
- Not here Tarantulas
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in Tennessee?
4 species: Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in Tennessee?
Yes. The brown recluse lives in Tennessee. Open records come from 10 counties.
Are there scorpions in Tennessee?
Yes: Southern devil scorpion.
When are venomous animals most active in Tennessee?
Most open records from Tennessee fall in June 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.