Minnesota is home to various snake species, including two venomous ones: the Timber Rattlesnake and the Eastern Massasauga. While encounters are uncommon, understanding their characteristics and appropriate responses to sightings or bites is crucial for safety. Most of Minnesota’s 17 snake species are harmless, making identification of venomous ones and knowing what actions to take important.
Venomous Snakes Found in Minnesota
The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is one of Minnesota’s two venomous snake species. These large pit vipers typically measure between 31.5 and 60 inches long. Their coloration varies from gray to yellow to dark brown, often featuring dark brown or black crossband markings, and their tail is distinctly solid black. They primarily inhabit southeastern Minnesota, particularly the Mississippi River valley, favoring forested bluffs, south-facing rock outcrops, and bluff prairies. This species is listed as state threatened due to reduced populations from historical factors like bounties and habitat loss.
The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is the other venomous snake found in Minnesota, though exceptionally rare. These snakes are smaller than Timber Rattlesnakes, typically 18.5 to 30 inches long. They have a grayish-brown background with darker brown blotches and usually two or three rows of smaller spots along their sides, with a ringed tail ending in a segmented rattle. Historically, sightings occurred in southeastern Minnesota, but current evidence does not confirm established breeding populations on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River. This species prefers wet habitats such as marshes, bogs, and swamps, but also uses adjacent fields and woods. It holds both state endangered and federal threatened status, highlighting its precarious population levels.
Recognizing Minnesota’s Venomous Snakes
Minnesota’s venomous snakes, the Timber Rattlesnake and the Eastern Massasauga, are pit vipers. Pit vipers share several distinguishing physical characteristics that aid in identification. They have a broad, triangular-shaped head, distinct from their narrower neck.
Heat-sensing pits, small depressions located on each side of the head between the eye and nostril, are another key indicator. Their eyes typically have elliptical, or slit-like, pupils, similar to a cat’s eye in bright light. Both species possess a rattle at the end of their tail, which can be vibrated to produce a warning sound. In contrast, most non-venomous snakes in Minnesota generally have rounded heads and round pupils, though some harmless species may mimic rattlesnakes by vibrating their tails.
What to Do if You Encounter a Snake
If you encounter a snake in Minnesota, give it space and avoid disturbing it. Do not attempt to approach, provoke, handle, capture, or kill the snake. Maintaining a safe distance allows the snake to move away naturally and reduces the risk of a defensive encounter. Staying calm during the encounter helps prevent any sudden movements that might startle the snake.
If a snakebite occurs, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or your local emergency number without delay. While waiting for medical help, remain calm and still to help slow the spread of any potential venom. Remove any jewelry, watches, or tight clothing from the bitten limb before swelling begins.
Clean the wound gently with soap and water, then cover it loosely with a clean, dry bandage, keeping the bitten area still and in a neutral, comfortable position, preferably below heart level. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, attempt to suck out venom, or apply ice to the bite. Avoid consuming caffeine, alcohol, or certain pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can complicate treatment. If possible, try to remember the snake’s color and shape to describe it to medical professionals, but do not risk further bites by attempting to capture it.