Alabama is home to a large number of snake species across its diverse landscapes, supported by a warm, humid climate and a mix of forests, wetlands, and coastal plains. The state hosts approximately 40 to 44 snake species. The vast majority are harmless and provide environmental benefits, such as controlling rodent populations. Understanding these snakes is important for both personal safety and appreciating their role in nature. Learning to identify the few species that pose a threat is practical for anyone spending time outdoors.
Alabama’s Six Venomous Species
Alabama is home to six venomous snake species. Five belong to the pit viper family (rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths) and share identifiable characteristics. Pit vipers possess heat-sensing pits located between their eyes and nostrils. They also have a broad, triangular head and vertical pupils.
Three rattlesnake species are found in Alabama: the Eastern Diamondback, the Timber (or Canebrake), and the Pigmy Rattlesnake. The Eastern Diamondback is the largest venomous snake in North America, recognizable by its distinct dark diamond pattern outlined in yellow or cream. The Timber Rattlesnake, found in forested areas, features dark, V-shaped crossbands on a lighter background, often with an orange stripe down the back. The Pigmy Rattlesnake is much smaller, rarely exceeding two feet, and its tiny rattle is often too quiet to hear.
The Copperhead is the most commonly encountered venomous snake. It is identified by its pattern of dark brown hourglass-shaped crossbands set against a lighter reddish-brown or tan background. Young copperheads are born with a bright yellow or greenish tail tip used to lure prey.
The Cottonmouth, also called the Water Moccasin, is the only aquatic venomous snake in North America. It is found throughout Alabama’s wetlands and slow-moving waters. While its coloration varies from dark olive to black, its name comes from the bright white lining of its mouth, displayed as a defensive warning.
The sixth venomous species is the Eastern Coral Snake, which belongs to the elapid family, a relative of the cobra, rather than the pit viper family. This snake is slender with a small head and is distinguished by vibrant alternating bands of red, black, and yellow. Unlike pit vipers, the Coral Snake has small, round pupils and a double row of scales under its tail. A popular rhyme helps distinguish it from non-venomous lookalikes: “Red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, friend of Jack”.
Common Non-Venomous Snakes
The majority of Alabama’s snake population consists of non-venomous species, many of which are beneficial through their consumption of rodents and insects. Rat Snakes are among the most common, including the Eastern Rat Snake, which can grow over six feet long. These snakes are excellent climbers and are often found hunting rodents and birds in trees or around human structures, making them valuable pest controllers.
King Snakes are widely distributed and notable for their smooth bodies and striking patterns. The Eastern King Snake is typically black with thin yellow or white bands. It possesses an immunity to pit viper venom, which it occasionally preys upon. Water Snakes are another common group, frequently misidentified as the venomous Cottonmouth due to their aquatic habitats and heavy bodies. Non-venomous water snakes lack the Cottonmouth’s facial pits and tend to submerge their bodies when swimming, unlike the Cottonmouth, which often swims with its head held high.
The Eastern Garter Snake is a small, slender species recognized by three light-colored stripes running lengthwise down its body. Garter snakes are found in various habitats, including gardens and fields, where they feed on earthworms, slugs, and small fish. The Eastern Hognose Snake is non-venomous with a distinctive upturned snout used for burrowing in sandy soil. When threatened, the Hognose will flatten its neck and head to mimic a cobra, or play dead, sometimes leading to misidentification as a pit viper.
Distinguishing Features and Safe Encounters
While color patterns and habitat offer initial clues, physical traits help distinguish venomous pit vipers from non-venomous snakes. Pit vipers possess a deep pit organ on each side of the face, used for thermoreception, and have vertical pupils. Most non-venomous snakes, including the Coral Snake, have round pupils and lack these facial pits.
The scales on the underside of a snake’s tail, called subcaudal scales, offer a reliable distinction for deceased or shed skins. Pit vipers have a single row of scales running from the vent to the tail tip. Nearly all non-venomous snakes and the Coral Snake have a double row of scales. However, because many non-venomous snakes can flatten their heads to appear triangular, and some have dark blotches that mimic venomous patterns, no single feature should be relied upon for identification.
The most effective safety protocol is to maintain awareness and respect for all snakes encountered. When walking or hiking, wear protective footwear and avoid placing hands or feet where visibility is limited. If a snake is encountered, back away slowly and quietly, giving the reptile space to retreat. Snakes will not chase humans and only bite when they feel threatened or are handled.
To deter snakes from a home, remove potential hiding spots like woodpiles, rock piles, and thick brush, which also attract the rodents snakes prey upon. In the event of a suspected venomous snake bite, immediate medical attention is necessary. The victim should remain calm, keep the bitten limb still and below heart level, and remove any tight clothing or jewelry before swelling begins. Do not attempt to cut the wound, apply a tourniquet, or suck out the venom, as these actions can cause more harm.