Out of Nearly 50 Oklahoma Snakes, Which Are the Riskiest Ones?

Quick Take

• One venomous snake in Oklahoma is so small most people walk right into its striking range before they even notice it's there. Meet Oklahoma's smallest venomous snake →
• One common Oklahoma snake looks almost identical to a venomous species, and most people have no idea how to tell them apart. See the cottonmouth lookalike →
• The venomous snake most likely to actually bite you isn't the one most Oklahomans worry about. Learn about the most bite-prone snake →
• Some non-venomous Oklahoma snakes actively seek out human homes and yards, and there is a good chance you already have one living nearby. See the snake near your home →

From lush grasslands to multiple mountain ranges, Oklahoma has just about every type of natural landscape contained in one state. There is a lot of wildlife in Oklahoma, including a lot of snakes. Oklahoma is near the top of the list of states that have the most snakes. There are almost 50 native types of snakes in this state and seven of those different types of snakes are venomous. So when you’re in Oklahoma, it’s a smart idea to keep a sharp eye on the ground all around you regardless of what you are doing outdoors.

A Complete List Of Snakes In Oklahoma

Check out our list below to see all of the snakes in Oklahoma and which of these snakes are venomous.

Name	Scientific Name	Is It Venomous?
Copperhead Snake	Agkistrodon contortrix	Yes
Western Cottonmouth Snake	Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma	Yes
Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake	Crotalus atrox	Yes
Timber Rattlesnake	Crotalus horridus	Yes
Prairie Rattlesnake	Crotalus viridis	Yes
Western Massasauga Rattlesnake	Sistrurus tergeminus	Yes
Pygmy Rattlesnake	Sistrurus miliarius	Yes
Glossy Snake	Arizona elegans	No
Western Worm Snake	Carphophis vermis	No
Scarlet Snake	Cemophora coccinea	No
Southern Black Racer	Coluber constrictor	No
Ring-Neck Snake	Diadophis punctatus	No
Great Plains Rat Snake	Pantherophis emoryi	No
Black Rat Snake	Pantherophis obsoletus	No
Mud Snake	Farancia abacura	No
Western Hognose Snake	Heterodon nasicus	No
Eastern Hognose Snake	Heterodon platyrhinos	No
Texas Night Snake	Hypsiglena jani	No
Prairie King Snake	Lampropeltis calligaster	No
Speckled King Snake	Lampropeltis holbrooki	No
Western Milk Snake	Lampropeltis gentilis	No
Texas Blind Snake	Rena dulcis	No
Glossy Crayfish Snake	Liodytes rigida	No
Coachwhip Snake	Masticophis flagellum	No
Yellow-Bellied (or Plain-Bellied) Water Snake	Nerodia erythrogaster	No
Broad-Banded Water Snake	Nerodia fasciata	No
Diamondback Water Snake	Nerodia rhombifera	No
Northern Water Snake	Nerodia sipedon	No
Rough Green Snake	Opheodrys aestivus	No
Bull Snake	Pituophis catenifer	No
Graham’s Crayfish or Water Snake	Regina grahami	No
Long-nosed Snake	Rhinocheilus lecontei	No
Great Plains Ground Snake	Sonora episcopa	No
Dekay’s Brown Snake	Storeria dekayi	No
Texas Brown Snake	Storeria dekayi texana	No
Red-Bellied Snake	Storeria occipitomaculata	No
Flat-Headed Snake	Tantilla gracilis	No
Black-Headed Snake	Tantilla nigriceps	No
Black-Necked Garter Snake	Thamnophis cyrtopsis	No
Wandering Garter Snake	Thamnophis elegans	No
Checkered Garter Snake	Thamnophis marcianus	No
Western Ribbon Snake	Thamnophis proximus	No
Plains Garter Snake	Thamnophis radix	No
Common Garter Snake	Thamnophis sirtalis	No
Lined Snake	Tropidoclonion lineatum	No
Rough Earth Snake	Virginia striatula	No
Smooth Earth Snake	Virginia valeriae	No
Desert Kingsnake	Lampropeltis splendida	No

Even though it might seem like there’s an exceptionally large number of snakes in Oklahoma, when you consider how many different habitat types Oklahoma has, it doesn’t seem surprising that there are so many snakes. Just a few of the snakes that you can find in Oklahoma are:

Glossy Snake

Glossy snakes have smooth scales with a reflective quality that makes them look like glass. They have tan, brown, or grey blotches bordered in black over a cream, pinkish, or white base color. These non-venomous snakes measure between 2 and 4 feet long. The snakes are typically found in sandy soil in the western third of Oklahoma.

Great Plains Rat Snake

The great plains rat snake is shades of brown and tan with large irregular blotches. This rat snake reaches between 2 and 4 feet long. Rat snakes are heavy and look like they might be aggressive but they are harmless and prefer to stay away from people. Great plains rat snakes are typically found in wooded areas or in grasslands. They often take up residence in old buildings, barns, and sheds.

Coachwhip Snake

Coachwhip snakes have a different color pattern depending on where the snake is from. Eastern Coachwhip snakes’ upper bodies are black, and they fade gradually to a reddish-brown color on the lower half. Western Coachwhip snakes are solid in color, usually black, and have a pinkish-red belly. Coachwhips can be up to a whopping 8 feet long and they move very quickly. They can also climb and may seek refuge in a tree if you surprise them. These snakes will bite if cornered or if they think they are being threatened, but they are not venomous.

Prairie King Snake

The prairie king snake is found throughout Oklahoma. These snakes are typically just 3-4 feet long but they have a heavy appearance. The body of the prairie king snake is typically brown or tan with darker brown or black markings down the entire body. King snakes are docile and don’t mind being around people. Because they aren’t afraid of humans, they can often be found hunting or nesting in old buildings, in fallen trees, and around homes and yards. Even though the prairie king snake isn’t a threat to humans, you should still be careful around them. Any snake can bite or be aggressive if it feels threatened.

Northern Water Snake

Northern water snakes are fully aquatic and can live in any type of water. Typically in Oklahoma, you will find them near lakes or ponds in the flat central regions, but you can also find them in mountain streams and other bodies of water. Some northern water snakes may not even measure 2 feet long, but they have very heavy and wide bodies, making them look bigger than they are. Water snakes have similar coloring to the cottonmouth snake, but they are not venomous.

Venomous Snakes in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a higher number of venomous snakes compared to other states, with seven venomous snake species. Check the chart above to see a complete list of which snakes are venomous. Some of the venomous snakes in Oklahoma are:

Copperhead Snake

In Oklahoma, the copperhead snake is mostly found in the eastern part of the state. There is a very stable population of copperheads, so always keep a sharp eye on the ground when you are raking leaves, cutting grass, or hiking in some of the state’s many state parks. Copperheads measure 2-3 feet long but they are very wide. Theses snakes have coppery-red heads and dark, hourglass-shaped markings. They are more likely to bite than other venomous snakes because they are more likely to be accidentally stepped on.

Western Cottonmouth Snake

Cottonmouths, also called water moccasins, are the only semi-aquatic venomous snakes. So if you’re the kind of person that spends time on the water boating or near the water fishing you should be watching for cottonmouths. They are primarily found in the eastern and southeastern part of the state. Western cottonmouths are usually olive, brown, or solid black. the distinguishing feature to look for is the white interior of the snake’s mouth. These snakes generally reach between 2 and 4 feel long.

Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake

Western diamondback rattlesnakes are found in the western part of Oklahoma. These venomous snakes have alternating light and dark markings in a diamond pattern that makes this snake easy to identify.  Like most rattlesnakes, the western diamondback will raise up and rattle before striking, which should give you time to back away slowly if you come across one. Most adults measure between 4 and 5 feet in length.

Western Massasauga Snake

Another small venomous snake is the western massasauga snake. In Oklahoma, this snake lives mainly in the western and northern parts of the state. Western massasauga snakes measure 1.5-3 feet in length. They are light grey, tan, or light brown with dark brown or black blotches down their backs. These snakes favor shallow wetlands and the nearby upland areas.

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Pygmy rattlesnakes are the smallest venomous snakes. They are typically just about 1-1.5 feet long. The Pygmy rattlesnake’s small size actually makes it more dangerous, as it is so small you probably won’t see it until you’re in the snake’s striking range. These snakes are associated with forest habitats, including riparian woodlands. They are generally light grey, tan, brown, reddish-brown, or light pinkish with a pattern of dark brown to black blotches running down their backs.