If you’re planning on going camping or hiking or if you suffer from ophidiophobia, you might want to know what areas have more snakes. This article takes a look at the 10 most snake-infested areas in the US.
Texas
Texas is home to about 68 snake species, four of which are venomous. They include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes which are Texas’ most dangerous snake species. These snakes are scattered all over Texas but are found in increased numbers in central Texas. The Texas rat snake is one of the most popular snakes around the state. It is a nonvenomous snake, although it tries to rattle its tail to look like a rattlesnake and ward off predators. Some other snakes found all around Texas are the Texas indigo, the Texas brown snake, and the Texas blind snake.
Arizona
Arizona is densely populated with 52 species of snakes, 14 of which are venomous. Arizona’s Phoenix area is said to have the highest number of snakes in the state. Places such as Gold Canyon, north Scottsdale, and other open-space areas in Phoenix, Arizona see more snakes than others. Rattlesnakes are the most popular species in the state. Some of Arizona’s most venomous snakes are Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Arizona black rattlesnake, Arizona mountain kingsnake, and the Grand Canyon rattlesnake. The Mojave rattlesnake is said to be the most venomous snake found in Arizona.
Nevada
Nevada is known to have over 52 species of snakes and a lot of them are found in the Las Vegas area. Although most of Nevada’s snakes are nonvenomous, the area has quite a lot of rattlesnakes to look out for. Rattlesnakes are subspecies of pit vipers, making them rather deadly. The western diamondback rattlesnake is one of Nevada’s most venomous snakes. It packs up to 350mg of venom per bite on average. Sometimes, they’ve been known to pack up to 800mg in a single bite. Some other common rattlesnakes found in Nevada are speckled rattlesnakes, northern pacific rattlesnakes, Mojave rattlesnakes, and sidewinder rattlesnakes. Venomous snakes are also found in Lake Mead and Red Rock.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, there seem to be snakes everywhere. The state is said to be home to 48 different snake species. Residents in both rural and urban areas see snakes frequently. It is quite common to spot a snake on trees, in potted plants, and under piles of grass and leaves. Some of the most popular and venomous snakes found in Louisiana are the pygmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, and timber rattlesnakes.
Missouri
Although the Missouri mule is the state’s official animal, the state is home to 47 species of snakes. They are mostly found in the mature forests and wooded hillsides of the state. Missouri is home to five species of venomous snakes. They are western cottonmouths, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, Osage copperheads, pygmy rattlesnakes, and timber rattlesnakes. Missouri takes care of its snakes too. They are protected by the law which means that it is technically illegal to kill them. There are allowances for situations where snakes pose dangers to humans. However, there is no open season on snakes.
New Mexico
New Mexico is known to have 46 species of snakes. These include 7 rattlesnakes, 1 coral snake, and 38 nonvenomous species. New Mexico’s Chihuahuan desert area is perhaps one of the most snake-infested areas in the state. It is said to house over 20 species of snakes. Some of the most popular snakes found in the Chihuahuan desert include gopher snakes, coachwhips, and copperheads. However, these snakes are more commonly seen at night when they are known to be active.
Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma is inhabited by 46 species of snakes- 7 of which are venomous. Most of Oklahoma’s venomous snakes are rattlesnakes such as western diamondback rattlesnakes, prairie rattlesnakes, western pygmy rattlesnakes, and timber rattlesnakes. Oklahoma is also known to have copperheads and cottonmouths scattered about. Snakes are commonly found in the cities, forests, and prairies of the state. Oklahoma also holds the records for the longest rattlesnake found to be about 88 inches long!
Georgia
The State of Georgia is known for its large number of snakes. There are 46 species of snakes in Georgia but only six of these are venomous. Snakes are mostly found in the northern mountains of Georgia to the barrier islands which lay along the Atlantic coasts. However, it isn’t uncommon to find them in the city. Some of Georgia’s most common snakes are cottonmouths, copperheads, black rat snakes, coral snakes, and timber rattlesnakes. In Georgia, it is illegal to kill any nonvenomous snake. Breaking this law is punishable by a fine of up to $1000 and a year in jail. People living in Georgia also aren’t allowed to keep venomous snakes as pets without a license or permit from the authorities.
Florida
Florida is home to 46 species of snakes which are found all over the state. Some of the most snake-infested areas in Florida are the freshwater wetlands, coastal mangroves, dry uplands, and even residential areas. These snakes help keep the pest and rodent population in check. Florida has six species of venomous snakes which are southern copperheads, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, dusky pygmy rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, coral snake, and timber rattlesnakes. Although the state has a lot of venomous snakes, it is illegal to capture, keep, possess, or exhibit any of them.
Alabama
The state of Alabama is home to 43 species of snakes – many of which are commonly seen all around the state. It is quite understandable why the state records over a hundred snake bites each year. Some of the most commonly seen snakes are cottonmouths, copperheads, milk snakes, corn snakes, and watersnakes. Alabama is known to have over ten subspecies of watersnakes which include banded watersnakes, brown waternsakes, diamond-backed watersnake, and the gulf swampsnake.
