40 Snakes In Arkansas
No matter where you go in Arkansas you will be able to find snakes in Arkansas. It has one of the largest snake populations and one of the most diverse snake populations of any state. A few of the 40 different kinds of snakes in Arkansas are:
Prairie King Snake
Like most king snakes the prairie king snake is not that large. It’s only about three feet long. However it is very wide and thick. Prairie king snakes are most often light brown, tan, or light gray with darker brown markings. These snakes also have a V shaped mark on their heads in dark brown or black. They are not venomous, but if you surprise one or corner it they may shake their tail like a rattle. This is just to scare you into leaving it alone. They don’t have any actual venom and they’re not rattlesnakes.
Eastern Black Racer Snake
Eastern racer snakes mostly stay in forest and grasslands so you’ll find them primarily in the central plains of Arkansas. They are very long and thin. The average length for these snakes is about six feet. Black racer snakes are also extremely fast. They can travel at up to four miles per hour when they want. If you scare one it may just flee quickly or it may raise itself up and try to scare you. A black racer snake may bite you, but it is not venomous so it won’t do any serious damaged. Still, handle this all black snake with caution.
Flathead Snake
Flathead snakes are very small. The average length for a flathead snake is about six inches. They are slim, and are about as big around as a pencil. They are usually brown or reddish brown with a light colored belly. Flathead snakes like to burrow into moist wet soil like the soil in forests, agricultural fields, or mulch-filled planter boxes in suburban yards. And these snakes are absolutely no threat to people. They help people by eating all the insects they can find.
Ground Snake
Ground snakes in Arkansas reside mainly in the Snake River areas in Owyhee county. They don’t grow to be very large. The biggest ones in Arkansas usually are about 20 inches long. Ground snakes can be gray or tan with dark brown or black markings. Some of them are solid colored and have no markings at all.
Midwest Worm Snake
Midwest worm snakes look exactly the way you would expect them to look based on their name. They are about a foot long and very thin. Worm snakes are usually gray with pinkish or tan bellies and they look like large worms. They eat worms and small insects. They are no threat at all to people and try to stay hidden in the dirt and leaf litter as much as they can.
Rough Earth Snake
Another type of snake in Arkansas that mostly eats worms is the rough earth snake. Rough earth snakes also resemble worms. They are about a foot to a foot and a half long. These little snakes are no threat to anyone and they are found in urban and suburban environments all over the state.
Western Mud Snake
Western mud snakes are usually found adjacent to wetlands, marshes, ponds, and other wet environments. They feed on a lot of the animals and insects that feed on fish and other water creatures. These snakes have very striking coloring. Typically they are a glossy black with a red belly. Western mud snakes are about 50 inches long on average.
Water Snakes In Arkansas
There are lakes and rivers all over Arkansas but many water snakes make their homes along the eastern border of the state which is the Mississippi River. All along the lowland Mississippi River area are swamps, marshes, and inlets called the Mississippi Delta. In the Delta you will find lots of water snakes including these water snakes in Arkansas:
Mississippi Green Water Snake
Just like the name implies the Mississippi green water snake lives in and near the Mississippi Delta and the Mississippi River. In Arkansas that means you can find these snakes along the eastern border of the state where the Mississippi River makes up the eastern boundary. On average the Mississippi green water snake is about three feet long, although they can be up to four and a half feet long. Their bodies are dark green or brown with dark markings or no markings. Their bellies are light cream or light yellow.
Plain Belly Water Snake
The plain belly water snake is also about three feet long. But the plain belly water snake in Arkansas lives all over the state in ponds and rivers. Plain belly water snakes are either dark green or gray and they have pale colored bellies. They don’t have any markings. They are not venomous and feed mostly on fish and frogs. If you’re fishing in some of the lakes and streams that dot the landscape in Arkansas you may very well come into contact with a plain belly water snake. Just leave it alone and it will leave you alone.
Broad-banded Water Snake
The broad-banded water snake prefers fresh water. So these snakes are mostly found in freshwater ponds and lakes, marshes, and in some areas near the Mississippi Delta in Arkansas. Broad-banded water snakes are black with vivid orange or coppery orange bands that have jagged edges. If you see any snake in the water or near the water with ragged edged bands running the length of its body it’s most likely a broad-banded water snake. They are typically only about two feet long.
Diamondback Water Snake
Diamondback water snakes should not be confused with diamondback rattlesnakes. A diamondback water snake is not venomous and won’t hurt you unless you really startle it or corner it. Any snake will attack you if you corner it so it’s best to never approach a wild snake. But diamondback water snakes are harmless unless threatened. These snakes are just about two feet long and they are usually dark olive or brown colored with a distinct diamond pattern running down their backs in black. Diamondback water snakes live mostly in ponds and lakes, but they can also sometimes turn up in irrigation ditches or cattle ponds so be careful.
Midland Water Snake
Midland water snakes are related to northern water snakes, another type of water snake in Arkansas. They are about 5 feet long and they are light brown to medium brown with dark brown and black markings. These freshwater snakes tend to stay in freshwater streams, ponds, and lakes throughout the state of Arkansas. They are no threat to humans.
Gulf Crayfish Snake
As you might have guessed from the name of these snakes they eat mostly crayfish. The Gulf crayfish snake lives in the small marshes and swamps close to the Mississippi River and throughout ponds and small water sources throughout the state. Anywhere the crayfish live you can find the Gulf crayfish snake. These snakes are tiny. They’re usually just a foot long or slightly longer. They are a shiny olive or brown color and they have light colored undersides.
Graham’s Crayfish Snake
Graham’s crayfish snakes prefer to live in streams or rivers and sometimes will live near lakes. You can also find them in the small ponds and inlets of the Mississippi River in the Delta. These small brown snakes burrow into the mud and soil on the edge of the water. They eat mostly crayfish and frogs, digging into the dirt on the sides of the shore or down deep on the bottom for food. Fishermen often encounter Graham’s crayfish snakes when fishing. They won’t hurt you but it’s still a good idea to leave them alone.
Queen Snake
Most queen snakes are about two feet long. Queen snakes are usually gray or brown with orange or yellow stripes on the sides and orange or yellow bellies. They look similar to garter snakes in some ways. Queen snakes are semi-aquatic and will spend time in and out of the water. Typically they make their homes near streams, irrigation ditches, or other areas where there are lots of rocks they can hide under.
Cottonmouth
Cottonmouth snakes are the only venomous water snake in Arkansas. When you see a water snake in Arkansas immediately look at its mouth. If the mouth region has white colored patches or if there is a white patch inside the snake’s mouth it’s a cottonmouth snake. If you come across a cottonmouth snake be very cautious. A cottonmouth bite needs immediate medical attention.
Venomous Snakes In Arkansas
Arkansas has six types of venomous snakes. Most of the venomous snakes in Arkansas are rattlesnakes. So it’s smart to always be listening for a rattle. When there is a rattlesnake is nearby you may be able to hear a warning rattle before you even see the snake. The venomous snakes in Arkansas include the Cottonmouth water snake and also:
Copperhead Rattlesnake
Copperhead rattlesnakes aren’t very large. The maximum length that a Copperhead can achieve is about four feet. But Copperheads are still scary snakes because of the very heavy and wide bodies that they have. Copperhead rattlesnakes have a very unique reddish copper to copper color that will instantly let you know if a snake is a copperhead. These snakes can and do thrive just about anywhere so you can find them in both rural and residential areas.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Western diamondback rattlesnakes are large for rattlesnakes. They are about five feet long. You can always spot a Western diamondback rattlesnake by the very distinct diamond pattern in black that runs down the back. If you are in an area where there are rocky outcroppings or lots of rocks and you see a brown snake with black diamonds down the back get out of that snake’s area as quickly as you can.
Timber Rattlesnake
If you’re hiking, camping, or working in cropland areas, agricultural areas, or forested areas you should keep an eye out for timber rattlesnakes. Timber rattlesnakes can be up to six feet long. With that length and their unique rattle you can’t miss them. Although their brown and tan coloring does help them blend into the vegetation in the fields. The best thing you can do if you come upon a rattlesnake is to stop moving. Totally stop moving. Then after a beat slowly start back up the way you came. Most rattlesnakes won’t strike at you unless they feel threatened. So if you stay calm they will stay calm.
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake
Western pygmy rattlesnakes have the potent venom of a rattlesnake just in a very small package. Pygmy rattlesnakes are mostly about a foot to a foot and a half long. They are usually grey with black markings and a red or orange stripes running down their sides.
Texas Coral Snake
Coral snakes are about four feet long and brightly colored. They are hard to miss, which is good because they are very dangerous. If you see a snake that has bright red bands with thin yellow bands next to them get out of the area fast. Coral snakes look very similar to some other types of snakes that are harmless. But coral snakes can kill you. The best way to know if you are facing a coral snake or a harmless snake is to look at the bands. If there is a red back with thin yellow bands on either side of it that’s a coral snake. If it has red bands with white or black bands immediately after it then it’s not a coral snake.
A Complete List Of Snakes In Arkansas
Anytime you’re in a state with this many snakes, especially so many venomous snakes, it’s smart to keep a sharp lookout for snakes. Always look for movement in bushes or trees and in the foliage next to trails and paths. Snakes may be nearby whenever there is movement. A complete list of the snakes in Arkansas is:
Prairie King SnakeSpeckled King SnakeNorthern Scarlet SnakeEastern RacerMilk SnakeEastern CoachwhipRough Green SnakeGreat Plains Rat SnakeWestern Rat SnakeGround SnakeFlathead SnakeMidwest Worm SnakeWestern Worm SnakeRingneck SnakeMississippi Green Water SnakePlainbelly Water SnakeBroad-banded Water SnakeDiamondback Water SnakeMidland Water SnakeGraham’s Crayfish SnakeGulf Crayfish SnakeQueen SnakeCottonmouthBrown SnakeRed-Bellied SnakeWestern Ribbon SnakeCommon Garter SnakeRough Earth Snake Western Earth SnakeWestern Mud SnakeEastern Hognose SnakeGrey Rat SnakeBull SnakeNorthern Pine SnakeLined SnakeWestern Diamondback RattlesnakeTimber RattlesnakeCopperheadWestern Pygmy RattlesnakeTexas Coral Snake
Western Diamondback RattlesnakeTimber RattlesnakeCopperheadWestern Pygmy RattlesnakeTexas Coral SnakeCottonmouth
