Discover the 9 Most Snake-Infested Rivers In The United States

Key Points

• With around 3,400 snake species in the world, the United States has a small portion of these found here: just 50 species.
• Of the 50 species of snakes in the US, about 30 of these species are venomous.
• The United States has 23 species of rattlesnakes, 2 cottonmouth species (water moccasins), 3 coral snake species, and 2 species of copperheads.
• 15 species of snakes in the US are aquatic or semi-aquatic and may be found near rivers, lakes, swamps, and streams.
• Several of the species live in multiple waterways across many climates in the USA, like the water moccasin and the plains garter snake.
• Despite being seemingly everywhere, snakes far prefer to go unseen rather than come out near human beings. Most snakes are never spotted by human eyes.

Home to around 50 species of snakes, of both venomous and harmless varieties, the United States offers plenty of snake-spotting opportunities. Now, whether or not you want to spot the snakes is a call we can’t make for you, but the snakes sure can! They’re less than eager to run into humans and would much prefer staying far away from bipedal creatures.

Every state in the country has at least one venomous species of snake, save for Hawaii, Rhode Island, Alaska, and Maine. Admittedly, there are more venomous than harmless snakes in the number of species. However, many of the most commonly spotted snakes are harmless. It’s best not to take your chances, though, as many species can be deadly.

When you hit the riverfront, be sure to avoid snakes, particularly any you aren’t 100% sure able to identify.

The Most Snake-Infested Rivers in America

With approximately a quarter million (250,000) rivers flowing along a total of about 3.5 million miles, the United States is rife with opportunities for water snakes to find homes. Of course, some of the rivers and waterways are far more conducive to reptiles than others, with some being just “okay” for them. The factors for snakes infesting an area may vary largely, but some would include things like food supply and predation.

Arkansas River – American West to Southeast

Nine common species of water snakes may be found skimming across the waters, baking on the shore of, or drifting downstream in the Arkansas River. Semi-aquatic or aquatic, it doesn’t matter – these reptiles are everywhere! Well, thankfully not literally everywhere, but they’re extremely present in the river and often seen basking nearby, taking in the sun.

Snakes you’ll see along the Arkansas River include:

• Midland water snake
• Broad-banded water snake
• Diamondback water snake
• Graham’s crayfish snake
• Gulf swamp snake
• Green water snake
• Northern cottonmouth
• Queen snake
• Plain belly water snake

Cumberland River Basin – American Central East

Flowing through both Kentucky and Tennessee, the Cumberland River is home to a wide range of both harmless and venomous snakes. As they say, you’ll run into three things in summertime in the area: poison ivy, ticks, and snakes. And while many of us feel that snakes are equally as awful as the first two on the list, snakes actually do serve a purpose in the ecosystem where they live. Killing off some pests and scaring off others, snakes can even be “friendly” to many of us. Just don’t touch them, especially as identifying “good” versus “bad” snakes can be tricky.

Along Cumberland River, you’ll find:

• Timber rattlesnake
• Cottonmouth
• Copperhead
• Northern water snake
• Common water snake
• Midland water snake
• Mississippi green water snake
• Plain-bellied water snake
• Copper-bellied water snake
• Yellow-bellied water snake
• Broad-banded water snake
• Southern water snake

Missouri River – American Midwest

Known as the longest river in the United States, the Missouri River is home to a huge array of wildlife species, including a ton of different snakes. The 2,540 miles of waterway may be home to as many as 47 different snake species and something like 900 animal species nearby. That’s plenty to keep the snakes busy at mealtimes and, perhaps more, for you in avoiding the scaly reptiles.

Making your way along the Missouri River, you could run into:

• Northern water snake
• Diamondback water snake
• Yellow-bellied water snake
• Graham’s crayfish snake
• Mississippi green water snake
• Western mud snake
• Water moccasin (cottonmouth)
• Broad-banded water snake

Colorado River – American Southwest

Beautiful Colorado, filled with glorious mountains, scenic byways, and landscape begging for exploration, is home to a huge number of snakes, particularly along the Colorado River and nearby areas. Heavy regulations control both recreation and industrial use of the river, which largely helps keep the wildlife flush in the region. Some 47 species of reptiles alone exist around the river, with many snakes included, some aquatic, semi-aquatic, and many terrestrial.

Some of the snakes you could run into in the snake-infested river could include:

• Great basin gopher snake
• Colorado bull snake
• Northern water snake
• Black neck garter snake
• Plains garter snake
• Smooth green snake

Rio Grande River – American Southwest

Roaring down from the Colorado Rockies into the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande River flows through dams and irrigation diversions but remains one of the longest rivers in the United States. Some 30 species of snakes live near the river, particularly the lower Rio Grande, with just two varieties being venomous. The plethora of wildlife surrounding the river helps to draw snakes and other predators in for feeding, as well as tourists for wildlife viewing from safe vantage points.

Some of the snakes you could spot along the Rio Grande might include:

• Texas blind snake
• Flat-headed snake
• Western diamondback rattlesnake
• Texas coral snake
• Texas indigo snake
• Great Plains rat snake
• Gulf Coast ribbon snake
• Bullsnake
• Checkered garter snake
• Schott’s whipsnake

Alabama River – American Southeast

Another river teeming with snakes may be found in the southeastern portion of the United States – the Alabama River. Flowing some 300-plus miles, the Alabama River is home to many wild animals, with numerous fish species drawing them in. White bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass are some of the frequent catches along the waterway. The rivers of Alabama are known to have some of the most diverse collections of fish in them, which means water snakes are plentiful, too. These aquatic reptiles feed primarily on fish.

Some snakes you might spot in and near the Alabama River include:

• Midland water snake
• Plain-bellied water snake
• Diamond-backed water snake
• Queen snake
• Brown water snake
• Banded water snake
• Northern cottonmouth
• Gulf salt marsh water snake
• Mississippi green water snake
• Gulf swamp snake

Brazos River – American Central South

Perhaps a less well-known river than many others on this list, the Brazos River is one of Texas’s longest rivers. Sometimes known as the Rio de los Brazos de Dios (translated as the “River of the Arms of God”), the waterway opens out into the Gulf of Mexico with a 45,000 square-mile drainage basin. Often, the river is used to mark boundaries between East and West Texas. And though many outside the state might be less familiar with it, the Brazos River is closely tied to Texas history, particularly during the Texas Revolution and the Austin settlement periods.

The bio-diverse river has many wild snakes all along the 840 miles of flow, including:

• Brazos River water snake
• Timber rattlesnake
• Diamond-backed water snake
• Texas coral snake
• Copperhead
• Cottonmouth
• Western diamondback rattlesnake
• Hognose snake
• Broad-banded water snake
• Bullsnake

The Mississippi River – American Midwest and Southeast

Possibly the most famous river in all of America, the Mississippi River is one of the most snake-infested waterways you’ll come to. Thankfully, in most areas, the snake population is skittish enough that you won’t see the reptiles. In fact, snakes hate being around humans and will dart away if they’re able to escape being seen. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee anything for anyone, and the many snakes that get spotted are as unhappy about it as the folks who spot them.

Numerous species of snakes live near the Mississippi River. Some of those aquatic and semi-aquatic species include:

• Northern water snake
• Bullsnake
• Eastern milksnake
• Plains garter snake
• Eastern garter snake
• Plains hognose snake
• Eastern hognose snake
• Timber rattlesnake
• Eastern yellow-bellied racer
• Northern red-belly snake
• Western fox snake
• Texas brown snake

The Everglades – Florida

Okay, so the Everglades isn’t technically a river, but with the tributaries and flowing bodies of water all around, it’s close enough when it comes to exploration and adventure. And being the Everglades, tons of snakes are going to be found in the waters here! In fact, the Everglades are the most snake-infested portion of the whole state and one of the most snake-infested areas in the country. The Everglades also happen to be the largest surviving subtropical wilderness in all of the United States.

Here you’ll find both venomous and nonvenomous snakes of many varieties, including:

• Burmese python (pets released into the wild that then overpopulated the area!)
• Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
• Copperhead
• Florida cottonmouth
• Florida scarlet snake
• Eastern racer
• Boa constrictor
• Southern ringneck snake
• Eastern indigo snake
• Corn snake
• Yellow rat snake
• Eastern mud snake
• Everglades rat snake
• Eastern hognose snake
• Scarlet kingsnake
• Florida kingsnake
• Eastern coral snake
• Eastern coachwhip
• Mangrove salt marsh snake
• Rough green snake

And dozens more! It truly is a snake’s paradise and an ophidiophobe’s nightmare.

Watch Our YouTube Video on These Snake-Filled Rivers