Kansas is home to a diverse array of snake species. Most of these reptiles are harmless and play an important role in the state’s natural ecosystems.
Understanding Kansas Snake Diversity
Kansas boasts a rich reptilian diversity, with 42 distinct snake species found across the state. Only five species are venomous. These snakes inhabit a wide range of environments, from the eastern woodlands to the western prairies, adapting to various landscapes.
Fourteen of Kansas’s snake species have a nearly statewide distribution, while others are more restricted. Nine species are primarily found in the western part of the state, and eleven are confined to the eastern one-third. All Kansas snakes are permanent, year-round residents and do not migrate far from suitable habitats.
Venomous Snakes Found in Kansas
Five venomous snake species inhabit Kansas, all belonging to the pit viper family, identifiable by heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils. These snakes possess hemotoxic venom, which affects blood and tissues.
The Copperhead
The Copperhead is the most common venomous snake in eastern Kansas. It features a tan to brown body with darker, hourglass-shaped crossbands that are narrower on the back and wider on the sides. Juveniles are notable for their bright yellow or green tail tips, which they may use as a lure for prey. Copperheads prefer rocky woodlands, woodland edges, and meadows, often near water sources.
The Northern Cottonmouth
The Northern Cottonmouth is a heavy-bodied snake, usually brown to dark brown, with adults often appearing patternless. A dark band runs through the eye on each side of its head. Credible records for this species in Kansas are limited to the Spring River drainage in the extreme southeastern corner of the state, where it prefers freshwater habitats. When threatened, cottonmouths may coil and display the white interior of their mouths, giving them their common name.
The Timber Rattlesnake
The Timber Rattlesnake, the largest venomous snake in Kansas, can reach lengths of five feet or more. Its body color ranges from pinkish-gray to yellowish-brown, marked with dark bands or chevrons, and often has a rusty, reddish stripe down its back, culminating in a uniformly black tail and a rattle. This species is found in the eastern third of Kansas, particularly in heavily vegetated, rocky outcrops on forested hillsides.
The Prairie Rattlesnake
The Prairie Rattlesnake is common in the western half of Kansas. It typically exhibits a greenish-gray to light brown coloration with light green to brown blotches bordered by thin white edges. Two distinct white lines usually appear on its face, one between the eye and nostril, and another behind the eye down the neck. Prairie rattlesnakes prefer rocky canyons or open prairies that offer an abundance of small burrows for shelter.
The Western Massasauga
The Western Massasauga is the smallest rattlesnake in Kansas, usually measuring between 18 and 30 inches in length. It is found in the eastern two-thirds of the state, with some populations extending along the Cimarron and Arkansas Rivers. Massasaugas are notable for their small rattles, which produce a high-pitched buzzing sound, and they tend to favor wetlands.
Non-Venomous Snakes Commonly Encountered in Kansas
Many non-venomous snake species are frequently encountered across diverse habitats in Kansas.
Garter Snakes
Garter Snakes, including the Common and Checkered Garter Snakes, are among the most frequently seen. Common Garter Snakes often have yellow stripes along a darker body and are highly adaptable, found in marshes, wet meadows, woodlands, and near water. Checkered Garter Snakes are characterized by brownish-yellow bodies with a bold checkered pattern of dark spots between narrow yellowish stripes. They prefer moist areas, such as the margins of pools in streams or ponds.
Rat Snakes
Rat Snakes are common constrictors in Kansas, beneficial for controlling rodent populations. The Western Rat Snake is a large snake with shiny black scales on its back and a light-colored belly. It inhabits forested areas, particularly rocky hillsides of open woodlands, and is an excellent climber often found in trees. The Great Plains Rat Snake typically has a light gray or tan body with distinct dark gray, brown, or green-gray blotches, and a checkerboard pattern on its belly. These nocturnal snakes are found in rocky hillsides, canyons, and open woods, often hiding under rocks or in caves during the day.
King Snakes
King Snakes are also non-venomous constrictors, known for their ability to prey on other snakes, including venomous ones. The Prairie King Snake has a gray or light brown body with darker blotches that may fade with age. They are found in open habitats such as fields, farmland, and rocky hillsides, spending much of their time underground. The Speckled King Snake is black with numerous small yellow, cream, or white spots, giving it a speckled appearance. It prefers moist areas like open woodlands and prairies, often found under objects or in small mammal burrows.
Bullsnakes
Bullsnakes are the largest snakes in Kansas, characterized by a brownish-yellow body marked with large brown or black blotches. They are often found in prairie grasslands, rocky hillsides, and sand prairies.
North American Racers
North American Racers are slender, fast-moving snakes, and adults are typically uniform blue-gray, greenish-blue, or brown, while juveniles are blotchy. These generalists are common in open grasslands, pastures, and prairies, but can also be found in woodlands.
Water Snakes
Several species of Water Snakes are present in Kansas, including the Plain-bellied, Diamond-backed, and Common Water Snakes. These snakes are often mistaken for the venomous Cottonmouth due to their aquatic habits. However, water snakes have round pupils and lack the heat-sensing pits characteristic of pit vipers. They are typically found near various water sources like rivers, ponds, and lakes.
Coexisting with Kansas Snakes
Snakes are an integral part of Kansas’s natural environment, contributing to ecological balance. They act as both predators and prey, maintaining healthy food webs. Many snakes provide a natural form of pest control by preying on rodents and insects, which can prevent agricultural damage and reduce disease transmission.
Snakes also contribute to seed dispersal, playing a role in plant community dynamics. Their presence can indicate the overall health of an ecosystem, as changes in snake populations often reflect shifts in habitat quality or prey availability. Allowing snakes to remain undisturbed in their natural habitats supports the biodiversity and stability of Kansas’s ecosystems.