However, even though Iowa is only home to 4 species of venomous snake, each is capable of injuring or killing someone with a well-timed bite. Does this mean that the Iowa outdoors are impossible to enjoy? Of course not! Luckily, these venomous snakes are not only rare, but often quite shy as well. With this list, we hope to educate readers about the many wonderful snakes that live in the Hawkeye State, as well as how to identify and protect themselves from the more dangerous ones. We hope snake lovers and outdoor adventurers alike will enjoy this list!
Snakes in Iowa
Let’s first dive into some of the most common snakes you’ll find across Iowa. Each of these is non-venomous.
Common Garter Snake
With its iconic dark body and yellow stripe, this species of garter snake is the most common throughout Iowa, as well as many other states. These snakes are so abundant that they are the only species of snake you are allowed to capture or kill in the state. However, there is almost never a need for that, since garters are completely harmless to people. The worst thing they can do is unleash a smelly musk to distract and escape from potential predators. On the contrary, garter snakes make phenomenal pets. They tend to be on the smaller side, growing to be 3 or 4 feet, though some have been known to reach 5 feet. They are peaceful creatures, and they are active during the day rather than at night, so it could be a perfect first pet for someone interested in snakes. The only disclaimer is their diet; they enjoy small things such as fish, worms, and amphibians. If you don’t mind the idea of storing and handling these things, the common garter snake could be a terrific addition to your family.
Western Fox Snake
The western fox snake is named for its yellow-gold eyes, similar to those of a fox. Despite being a common sight in Iowa, the western fox snake is endangered in some states. Perhaps this is due to their similarities to the venomous copperhead. Both snakes have body colors ranging from light brown to tan, leading to some understandable confusion. If you need to differentiate the two, just look at their heads. The copperhead will have a wide, triangular head with eyes like a cat. However, the fox snake has a narrower head and round pupils. That being said, if you’re unsure, it’s safer to assume the worst and steer clear of it. Unlike copperheads, and like garter snakes, western fox snakes tend to make good pets. Despite potentially growing to a length of 5 feet, they are still docile animals that have no reason or means to hurt humans. In the wild, they can be found in a variety of environments, including gardens, fields, and wetlands, and they are capable of climbing and swimming. Their favorite prey includes small birds, amphibians, and eggs.
Brown Snake
The smallest snake on this list at 13 inches, the brown snake poses no threat to humans. Luckily for the snake, humans pose little threat to it either, which is why the snake has been able to spread to most areas of Iowa. They are a common sight in urban areas such as parks, ponds, and yards, as well as more wild areas like prairies and wetlands. Though usually brown, some will be colored gray, and most have a row or two of dark spots on their backs. The brown snake is a bit more bold than some other snakes, meaning that they make great pets, though it is illegal to capture them in the wild. They are also easy to feed, preferring a diet of worms and the occasional snail. If one wants a “friendlier” snake, then the brown snake’s bravery and small size make it a relatively gentle companion.
Venomous Snakes in Iowa
There are four different venomous snakes in Iowa. The most common is the timber rattlesnake. In western Iowa, you’ll want to be more on the lookout for prairie rattlesnakes, which are more common along the Missouri river. Copperheads are listed as a venomous snake in Iowa, but their range only slightly extends into Missouri in the southernmost counties along the Mississippi river.
Timber Rattlesnake
The most populous venomous snake in Iowa, the timber rattlesnake is a common sight throughout the United States. They tend to make their homes in the forest of eastern and southern Iowa, though females may migrate to rockier, cooler areas while pregnant. Even though they are more common than other snakes, they still prefer to avoid people (and other predators) altogether, so they will stick to trees, undergrowth, and rocky crevices to avoid detection. Timber rattlers are easy to identify by their yellow-brown or gray bodies, dark blotches, triangular heads, slit-shaped pupils, and light-colored rattles on black tails. They also have a colored stripe running down their backs, similar to a garter snake. Timbers are also the largest venomous snakes in Iowa, reaching an impressive 6 feet in length. There are reports of some living to be 30 years old in captivity, but in the wild, it’s more common for them to reach an age of about 10 years. If you are ever traversing the forested wilds of Iowa and hear their iconic rattle, it means you may have wandered into their territory by mistake. Listen for the rattle, then go the opposite way; you do not want to be bitten by any of Iowa’s rattlesnakes, least of all the timber.
Massasauga Rattlesnake
In Iowa, there are two types of massasauga you may encounter: the western massasauga and the eastern massasauga. The western massasauga sticks to the rocky areas of southwestern Iowa, while the eastern massasauga prefers the marshes. Both snakes are quite rare in the wild. This is due to not only their shy nature, but human-induced habitat loss as well. They typically both have gray bodies, dark blotches, triangular heads, and slit-shaped pupils, though some eastern massasaugas may be colored brown. The western massasauga is the larger of the two at 39 inches, while the eastern massasauga can reach 30 inches. Though they prefer to eat small mammals, it will also take small amphibians and lizards if they have the chance. As mentioned earlier, the massasauga is quite shy, and would prefer to scare off aggressors with its rattle. In fact, most massasaugas will turn tail and flee before they try to attack. However, if backed into a corner, they are capable of delivering a deadly bite of venom, which is just as deadly as those of other rattlesnakes. That being said, both types of massasauga are becoming increasingly rare encounters for hikers across Iowa, and as long as they don’t openly antagonize them, they have little to fear.
Prairie Rattlesnake
True to its name, the prairie rattlesnake makes its home in the grasslands of western Iowa, particularly along the Missouri River. Here, it can catch plenty of its preferred prey of rabbits, prairie dogs, and other small mammals. They can reach an age of 20 years and live for 3 or 4 years, though some have been known to reach age 5. Some distinguishing features are brown spots across its body and two lines on each side of its head. They also come in a variety of colors, including green, brown, and tan. The prairie rattlesnake certainly isn’t the most common snake in Iowa. On top of having a habitat limited to the prairies of Loess Hills and surrounding areas, they are also an endangered species. If you are traversing this area, keep an ear open for rattles. Unless you happen to be a small rodent, they typically won’t bother you unless you bother them.
Copperhead
A common venomous snake throughout the United States, the copperhead is considered an endangered species in Iowa, but this is mostly because the state lies just barely within their range. If you encounter a copperhead in Iowa, it will likely be in the southeastern corner of the state. However, it would still be foolish to underestimate them, since this species has bitten more people throughout this country’s history than any other venomous snake. They can be found in several types of areas, including urban locations. Due to their tan or copper coloring, they can sometimes blend into their environments, so keep an eye out for their dark blotches, triangular heads (unlike the fox snake’s narrower head), and a length of 2 to 3 feet. If you see one, it’s probably hunting small mammals or amphibians, so you probably shouldn’t worry. As long as you don’t deliberately provoke them, you should be fine.
A Complete List of 28 Snakes in Iowa
Below you’ll find a complete list of the 28 snakes found in Iowa:
Western MassasaugaEastern MassasaugaTimber RattlesnakePraire RattlesnakeEastern CopperheadLined SnakeSmooth Earth SnakeWestern Ribbon SnakePlains Garter SnakeCommon Garter SnakeBrown SnakeRedbelly SnakeGraham’s Crayfish SnakeWestern Rat SnakeGopher SnakeWestern Fox SnakePlainbelly Water SnakeSooth Green SnakeNorthern Water SnakeDiamondback Water SnakeEastern Hognosed SnakeEastern Milk SnakePraire KingsnakeSpeckled KingsnakePlains Hognose SnakeWestern Worm SnakeNorth American RacerRingneck Snake
Hopefully, you’ve picked up on something quite notable about Iowa’s snakes: the venomous snakes are actually quite shy! Even though they are predators and make up a large chunk of Iowa’s venomous species, their prey consists of small animals such as mice and birds. They have no interest in hunting humans, and they only use venom on us as a means of self-defense. As long as people respect their privacy and homes, they should have no trouble enjoying the wilds of Iowa. Plus, there are many more nonvenomous snakes that we haven’t even covered that call Iowa home. So feel free to go snake watching; just keep a responsible distance!
