Venomous Snakes

Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix/laticinctus

Identifying features: Body is tan/brown with darker hourglass-shaped crossbands across the back. Juvenileslook like miniature adults, but with yellow to green tails.
Typical adult length: 2 to 3 feet
Habitat: Found in open rocky woodland, woodland edge and meadows.
Behavior: Shy unless provoked or otherwise disturbed. Often "freeze" instead of slithering away. Most bites occur from people unknowingly stepping on or near them.

Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

Identifying features: Heavy-bodied snake, brown to dark brown, and typically patternless. Dark band on each side of the head that runs through the eye. Juveniles often have a yellow-green colored tail and look like copperheads.
Typical adult length: 2 to 4 feet
Habitat: Prefers freshwater but can also be found on land. Bask on logs, rocks or branches at the water's edge.
Behavior: Shy unless provoked. Good swimmer. When threatened, it will coil its body and open its white mouth.

Prairie Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

Identifying features: Greenish gray to light brown in color. Pattern of light green to brown blotches with thin, white edges on the back. Two white lines occur on each side of the face: 1 between the eye and nostril and the other behind the eye and down the neck. A large rattle with dark bands on the tail. Juveniles look like miniature adults.
Typical adult length: 3 to 4 feet
Habitat: Prefers rocky canyons and open prairies with small mammal burrows.
Behavior: Only show aggression when threatened. Camouflage is its first defense. When disturbed, they often rattle their tail and will strike if they continue to be provoked.

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

Identifying features: Heavy-bodied snake. Head and body vary from pinkish gray to yellowish brown. Patterned with dark crossbands or chevrons that run along the back, often with a rust-colored stripe running down the middle of the back. Tail has a rattle. Juveniles look like miniature adults.
Typical adult length: 2 to 4 feet
Habitat: Prefers moist lowland forests and hilly woodlands near water sources. Tree stumps, logs and branches often provide refuge.
Behavior: Relies primarily on camouflage as its main defensive strategy. Before striking, they often perform a good deal of rattling and feinting.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

Identifying features: Heavy-bodied snake that can be a brown, yellowish gray, pale blue-gray or a pinkish color. Dark diamond-shaped patterns with white edges along its back. Two dark diagonal lines on each side of its face run from the eyes to the jaw. Tail has black and white bands above the rattle. Juveniles look like miniature adults.
Typical adult length: 3 to 5 feet
Habitat: Prefers dry, rocky terrain where they can conceal themselves in rock crevices and holes.
Behavior: Quick to adopt a defensive position, body curled in an "s" shape, shaking their rattle vigorously. Will only strike if the threat escalates.

Western Massasauga Rattlesnake

Sistrurus tergeminus

Identifying features: Short and thick-bodied snake that is gray or light brown in color. Dark brown blotches on back and sides. Head has a dark stripe along each side. Tail has a rattle. Juveniles look like miniature adults.
Typical adult length: 2 to 3 feet
Habitat: Variety of habitats that range from prairie grasslands to rocky hillsides and open wetlands. Often shelters in animal burrows.
Behavior: Rarely rattles, even when approached and prefers to remain still and avoid being seen or heard.