Texas is home to a diverse array of snake species, reflecting its varied ecosystems, including deserts, forests, coasts, and plains. Most snakes encountered in Texas are harmless, contributing significantly to the environment by controlling pest populations, maintaining biodiversity, and serving as both predators and prey.
Venomous Snakes of Texas
Texas is home to several venomous snake species, primarily pit vipers and coral snakes. Pit vipers, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths, share characteristics like a triangular head shape and heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils. Coral snakes have a distinct appearance with slender bodies and small heads.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus atrox) are the most common and widespread venomous snakes in Texas, found across most of the state except the easternmost parts. They are identified by brown, diamond-shaped markings along their backs and alternating black and white rings on their tails. These rattlesnakes average 3.5 to 4.5 feet but can reach seven feet. Timber Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus horridus), also known as Canebrake Rattlesnakes, are heavy-bodied, averaging 4.5 feet, with some over 5 feet. They are brown or tan with wide, dark crossbands and a black tail. Prairie Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus viridis) are slender, greenish or grayish, with rounded blotches down their backs, averaging about three feet. They are found in western Texas’s grassy plains.
Copperheads ( Agkistrodon contortrix) are medium-sized, 2 to 3 feet long, with a stout body and a broad, copper-colored head. Their bodies feature hourglass-shaped crossbands in reddish-brown, tan, or pinkish-gray, helping them blend into leaf litter. Three subspecies exist in Texas, with varying coloration and distribution across forested areas and woodlands. Cottonmouths ( Agkistrodon piscivorus), also known as Water Moccasins, are heavy-bodied snakes found in and near water. They have wide bodies, often dark brown with dark patterning, though the pattern may be difficult to see. When threatened, a cottonmouth may open its mouth to display the white interior, giving it its name.
The Texas Coral Snake ( Micrurus tener) is distinctly colored with alternating rings of bright red, yellow, and black. A common mnemonic is “red touch yellow, kill a fellow.” These snakes are less aggressive than pit vipers and have slender bodies with small, rectangular heads. Texas coral snakes average about two feet and possess potent venom.
Non-Venomous Snakes of Texas
Texas is home to over 100 species and subspecies. These non-venomous snakes play an important role in controlling rodent and insect populations, providing natural pest control. Common examples include:
- Rat Snakes (e.g., Texas Rat Snake) climb and control rodent populations.
- Garter Snakes ( Thamnophis spp.) are common, striped, and consume slugs/insects.
- Hognose Snakes use upturned snouts to burrow. When threatened, they flatten heads, strike without biting, or play dead.
- King Snakes prey on other snakes, including venomous ones, and are highly venom-resistant.
- Coachwhips are long, slender, fast-moving hunters of rodents, lizards, and small prey.
- Many non-venomous water snakes resemble cottonmouths but often have dark vertical lines on their lower jaw and round pupils.
Common Habitats and Behaviors
Snakes in Texas inhabit a wide array of environments. They are found in natural settings such as arid grasslands, dense forests, rocky canyons, and aquatic environments like rivers, swamps, and coastal marshes. Snakes also adapt to human-altered landscapes, including suburban yards, agricultural fields, and urban areas.
Snakes are secretive animals. Their behavior is influenced by temperature, as they are cold-blooded. During cooler periods, snakes often bask in sunny spots on rocks, logs, or pavement to regulate body temperature. In summer, many species become more active during twilight hours or at night, seeking shelter during the day. Most snakes are ambush predators, lying in wait for prey, though some, like racers, are active foragers. They use camouflage to remain hidden from both prey and potential threats. When threatened, a snake’s primary response is to escape and hide. They may strike only as a last resort if cornered or provoked.
Snake Safety and Coexistence
Coexisting with snakes in Texas involves understanding their behavior and taking precautions to minimize encounters. Snakes are not aggressive. Most snake bites occur when people try to handle, harass, or kill them.
To reduce the likelihood of snakes around homes, keep yards well-maintained. This includes keeping grass short, trimming overgrown vegetation, and removing woodpiles, debris, or clutter. Controlling rodent populations also helps, as rodents are a primary food source for many snakes. Sealing cracks around doors, windows, and foundations can prevent snakes from entering homes.
If a snake is encountered, give it ample space and avoid approaching or provoking it. Maintain a safe distance of at least 5-6 feet, allowing the snake to retreat. Wearing closed-toe shoes and carrying a flashlight when walking at night, especially in tall grass or wooded areas, can help prevent accidental encounters.
If a bite occurs, immediate medical attention is necessary. Call 911 or the Texas Poison Center Network promptly and attempt to identify the snake, as this information can aid medical treatment. Do not attempt to suck out venom, apply a tourniquet, or cut the bite wound. Professional snake removal services are available for those who need a snake safely relocated from their property.