Discover Every Kind of Venomous Snake East of the Mississippi River

closeup of eastern massasauga
Ryan M. Bolton/Shutterstock.com

Written by Emmanuel Kingsley

Updated: September 12, 2022

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The Mississippi is one of the longest rivers in the United States, flowing 2,350 miles through 10 US states. On the east of the river are 26 states, fourteen of which make up America’s east coast. Some of these states, like Florida, have as many as 44 snake species. 

While some species are rare and hard to find in these areas, others are more commonly seen and have high populations on America’s east coast. This article discusses every kind of venomous snake east of the Mississippi River.

How Many Venomous Snake Species Live East of the Mississippi River?

There are 8 venomous snake species in the states east of the Mississippi River. They are the copperhead, cottonmouth, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern coral snake, eastern massasauga, timber or canebrake, pygmy rattlesnake, and the Texas coral snake.

Copperhead

Southern Copperhead on the North Carolina Coast

Copperheads are found in various habitats, including rocky outcrops, mixed woodlands.

Copperheads are one of the most common snake species east of the Mississippi River and are responsible for more than half of the recorded snake bites in the entire US. Copperheads are venomous pit vipers that grow to medium lengths of 20–37 inches. They are colored tan to brown and have reddish-brown hourglass markings on their skins.

Although these snakes bite often, they are not extremely venomous, and the chances of surviving a copperhead bite are high if the victim receives prompt care. Copperheads are found in various habitats, including rocky outcrops, mixed woodlands, and even swampy regions. These venomous snakes are ambush hunters that wait for them to get close before attacking. However, copperheads generally avoid company by attempting to camouflage when they hear humans approach.

Timber or Canebrake Rattlesnake

A Timber Rattlesnake striking prey

Timber rattlesnakes are one of the most venomous North American snakes.

Timber rattlesnakes are also known as canebrake rattlesnakes. They have tan or grayish skins with dark brown or black crossbands. These snakes attain an average of 36-60 inches and weigh up to 52.3 ounces (3.3 pounds). Timber rattlesnakes are one of the most venomous North American snakes, so a bite from one is quite a cause for worry.

Like all rattlesnakes, these snakes are pit vipers with solenoglyphous fangs. Their venom contains extremely potent hemotoxins that affect their victims’ blood cells and tissues. These snakes are considered endangered in most states due to their low populations and the fact that they are slow to sexually mature and reproduce.

Cottonmouth

Cottonmouths got their name from the whitish interior of their mouths.

Also known as water moccasins, cottonmouths are another very venomous pit viper species. They are semi-aquatic and live in both the land and water. Although they are members of the same genus as the copperheads, they are far more venomous. Their venom contains potent hemotoxins that break down blood cells and stop the blood from clotting.

According to research, they can emit as much as 237 mg of venom but need only about 100–150 mg to kill a human. Cottonmouths got their name from the whitish interior of their mouths. When approached by humans, these snakes do not back away. Instead, they stand their ground and threateningly expose the interiors of their mouth. 

Eastern Coral Snake

The eastern coral snake has a black snout followed by a band of yellow, then black, then yellow or white, then red, then yellow then black all the way down to the tail.

The eastern coral snake can emit up to 20 mg of venom but needs only 4 to 5 mg to kill a human.

Eastern coral snakes are venomous elapids that hardly grow past 31 inches long. They are known for their distinct wide, black, and yellow rings, which encircle their entire bodies. This species is notorious for its neurotoxic venom, which makes it the deadliest coral snake. Its venom is neurotoxic and causes paralysis and respiratory failure, among other complications.

The eastern coral snake can emit up to 20 mg of venom but needs only 4 to 5 mg to kill a human. Consequently, an eastern coral snake bite is an emergency and should be treated as one. Luckily, in 2021, an antivenom for eastern coral snake bites was developed, greatly increasing the chances of survival after a bite.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Large eastern diamondback rattlesnake

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes’ pattern often fades towards their tail.

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are deadly pit vipers that grow to an average of 4 to 5 feet and up to 5 pounds weight-wise. They can be identified by their blackish-gray to muddy gray and even olive-green skin with irregular blotches close to their heads.

They are extremely venomous snakes with the longest solenoglyphous fangs of any rattlesnake. Consequently, their bites are notoriously painful. Venom from eastern diamondback rattlesnakes is hemotoxic in nature and affects blood cells and tissues.

Pygmy Rattlesnake 

Despite their small size, pygmy rattlesnakes have hemotoxic venom that is extremely potent on their prey.

Pygmy rattlesnakes are the smallest venomous snake in the United States and measure just 16 to 24 inches long on average. Despite their small size, they have hemotoxic venom that is extremely potent on their prey. With humans, a bite from a pygmy rattlesnake may not cause death, but it is potent enough to cause the victim to lose the bitten part.

Eastern Massasauga

The eastern massasauga grows up to 30 inches long.

Eastern massasaugas are a species of massasauga rattlesnakes known for their docile and calm demeanor. This species goes to extra lengths to avoid humans by never rattling its tail when it senses humans nearby. Research leads us to believe that they do this because of how often they were hunted by humans.

Eastern massasaugas avoid rattling their tails as it could draw attention to them. These snakes grow to 24 to 30 inches in length and have gray or tan colors marked with brown or black blotches that run down the center of their backs. Although eastern massasaugas are venomous and capable of killing humans, they are regarded as one of the least venomous rattlesnakes.

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