There are a total of six venomous snakes in Arkansas. With fall approaching, it’s a good idea to become familiar with these snakes and avoid them whenever possible. Read on for descriptions of the venomous snakes of Arkansas.
Venomous Snakes of Arkansas – Copperhead
The Copperhead is probably the most well known of the venomous snakes of Arkansas. It can be found in all parts of the state.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas are pit vipers with keeled scales which are gray, tan or light brown in color. It has 7-20 dark brown, light-edged, hour glass shaped crossbands. The Copperhead’s head can be gray, brown or a reddish copper color, hence the name. The underside of the snake is cream-colored with gray, brown or black splotches. These venomous snakes of Arkansas are beautiful but deadly. Young Copperheads look exactly like the adults of the species only the tail is yellow or green-yellow in color. The adult snake can grow to a length of 24-36 inches.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas can be found in pine-hardwood forests and bottomland hardwood forests. They are also sometimes found in rocky fields and hillsides. They are most active during the months of April – November and are seen mostly at night during hot weather.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas live on a diet of mostly rodents, frogs, lizards and cicadas. They will occasionally eat smaller snakes as well. The young Copperheads use their brightly-colored tail to attract prey.
Venomous Snakes of Arkansas – Cottonmouth
The Cottonmouth is another of the venomous snakes of Arkansas. These snakes are found throughout the state but are uncommon in the uplands of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas are pit vipers with keeled scales. They have heavy bodies which are colored olive brown to black. They have dark crossbands that are hard to see unless the snake is wet. Cottonmouths are also distinguished by their white upper lip, black stripe from snout onto the neck and the belly with black, brown and cream-colored splotches. The young of this species of venomous snakes of Arkansas are banded brightly like the Copperhead. However, they get darker with age. The tip of the tail will be yellow or greenish yellow in the young. The adult snake can grow to a length of 24-36 inches.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas can be found in wetland habitats, such as swamps, lakes, drainage ditches and streams. They are active from April – November and are seen mostly at night during hot weather.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas survive on fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds and rodents of all kinds. When they are threatened, they open their mouth to expose the white lining, hence the name Cottonmouth.
Venomous Snakes of Arkansas – Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is one of the venomous snakes of Arkansas that can be found in the Ouachita Mountains and southwestern Ozark Mountains and highlands.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas are pit vipers with keeled scales that are light brown or gray to grayish brown. They have 24-25 diamond shaped, light bordered, brownish splotches on their backs, hence the name Diamondback. The tail is white with 3-7 black bands. Because of this feature, some people in Arkansas refer to the venomous snakes as the “coon-tail rattler. On the sides of the head are found a pair of pale white stripes. Adult snakes grow to a length of 36-60 inches. Rarely, a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake can grow to 72+ inches.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas are found in rocky, open, pine-hardwood forests and rocky outcroppings. They are active from April – October and mostly at night during hot weather.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas live on a diet of rats, mice, rabbits and squirrels. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are Arkansas’ rarest venomous snakes.
Venomous Snakes of Arkansas – Timber Rattlesnake
The Timber Rattlesnake is one of the venomous snakes of Arkansas that can be found throughout the state.
This venomous snake of Arkansas is a pit viper with keeled scales. Its head and body can be gray, yellow, grayish or yellowish brown. It has 15-34 V-shaped black bands on the body and a rusty or reddish stripe down the center of the back. The tail is solid black and because of this it’s sometimes called “velvet-tailed rattler”. Adult snakes can grow from 36-60 inches in length.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas can be found in hardwood forests, pine-hardwood forests and bottomland hardwood forests. They can sometimes be found in rocky fields and hillsides. They are active from April – October and can be seen mostly at night during hot weather months.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas survive on a diet of rodents, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and birds. They are even known to eat the occasional shrew or gopher.
Venomous Snakes of Arkansas – Western Pigmy Rattlesnake
The Western Pigmy Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes of Arkansas that can be found statewide. The only region they haven’t been spotted in is the Mississippi Delta Region.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas are pit vipers with keeled scales. They are brownish or bluish gray in color with 20-30 black splotches on the back and black splotches along the sides. An orange or yellow stripe can be found along the center of the back and there is a black stripe from the eye to the corner of the mouth. The belly is cream-colored with black or brown splotches. Adult snakes can grow from 15-20 inches in length.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas can be found in brushy lowlands and open pine-hardwood forests. They are active from April – October and can be seen mostly at night during the summer months.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas survive on a diet of rodents, frogs and other small snakes. The rattle of these venomous snakes of Arkansas sounds like an insect buzz and can only be heard very close.
Venomous Snakes of Arkansas – Texas Coral Snake
The Texas Coral Snake can is one of the venomous snakes of Arkansas that can be found in Southern Arkansas, west of the Ouachita River and south of the Little Missouri River.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas have smooth scales with the head and body banded in red, yellow and black. These bands completely encircle the body of the snake. Remember the adage, “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, venom lack.” In the case of these venomous snakes of Arkansas, red touches yellow. Adult snakes grow to a length of 20-30 inches.
These venomous snakes of Arkansas can be found in pine, hardwood or pine-hardwood forests where conditions are moist. They are active from February – November and can be seen early in the morning or at dusk when the humidity is high. They are also seen late at night after rain in the hot summer months. Anytime it’s extremely humid, these venomous snakes of Arkansas come out. They live on a diet of lizards and other small snakes.
