9 Venomous Snakes in Alabama: Identification, Habitat & Safety Tips

There are nine venomous snake species in Alabama. It’s vital for outdoors people to know how to identify and stay safe around them. Among these are five rattlesnake species, two types of cottonmouths, a copperhead, and a coral snake. Each of these snakes poses potential risks. In fact, an average of 208 people are bitten by Alabama’s venomous snakes each year. Understanding their appearance, behavior, and habitats can help you navigate the outdoors safely.

We’ll dive into detailed profiles of these venomous snakes, covering how to recognize them and their habitats across Alabama. We will also provide safety tips for avoiding dangerous encounters. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a resident, or just curious about Alabama’s wildlife, this comprehensive overview has you covered.

Pit Vipers: The Venomous Masters of Infrared Detection

Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths are among the most well-known members of the venomous Crotalinae subfamily, also referred to as pit vipers. These snakes are equipped with unique adaptations that make them exceptional hunters.

What Makes Pit Vipers Unique?

Infrared-Sensing Pits:
A defining feature of pit vipers is the deep facial pit between their nostril and the eye on each side of their head. These specialized infrared-detecting organs allow pit vipers to sense heat emitted by prey. This adaptation enables them to:
- Detect body heat from up to 1 meter away.
- Strike prey with pinpoint accuracy, even in complete darkness.
Triangular Heads and Vertical Pupils:
- Head Shape: Pit vipers are recognized by their distinct triangular-shaped heads, which house their venom glands.
- Eyes: They have vertical elliptical-shaped pupils.
Venomous Fangs:
Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. These fangs fold back against the roof of their mouth when not in use.

Ecological Importance

Pit vipers play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling rodent populations. Despite their fearsome reputation, these snakes are vital to the health of many habitats.

Copperhead Snakes in Alabama

Copperhead snakes are some of the most common venomous snakes in the United States. They’re also the most common venomous snake in Alabama. They’re also responsible for the majority of the snakebites in the state.

Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

The Eastern Copperhead is a pit viper native to the eastern United States.

What Do Eastern Copperheads Look Like?

Coloration	Reddish-tan to grayish-tan bodies. Overlaid with dark brown, hourglass-shaped markings. *Heads are dark coppery brown, giving them the name “Copperhead.”
Body Shape	Stout and heavy-bodied snakes. As with all pitvipers, their heads are triangular and appear oversized in relation to their necks.
Size	*Adults range from 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) in length.

Taxonomy of Alabama’s Eastern Copperhead Snakes

Copperhead snakes are found across Alabama and are now recognized as a single species: the Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix).

In the past, these snakes were classified into different subspecies, including the Northern Copperhead, Southern Copperhead, and Osage Copperhead. However, recent DNA studies revealed minimal genetic differences between them. As a result, these subspecies were combined into a single taxonomic group under the Eastern Copperhead name.

Eastern Copperhead Behavior

Copperheads are dangerous because they use camouflage as their number one defense mechanism. In other words, these snakes choose to lie perfectly still rather than flee most of the time. Their camouflage helps them blend in with leaf litter and other ground debris.

When they feel threatened, they occasionally mimic the tail vibration of a rattlesnake. But, in most cases, they choose to lie perfectly still.

Most copperhead bites on humans occur when the person steps on or near the snake.

What Do Eastern Copperheads Eat?

Copperhead snakes are opportunistic feeders. They eat insects, spiders, frogs, small rodents, birds, and other reptiles.

How Dangerous Are Eastern Copperheads?

A Copperhead can bite and inject venom from the time they are newly born. Like most pit vipers, they have hemotoxic venom.

Most copperhead bites are not life-threatening. On the other hand, any bite from this snake is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. Prompt medical attention increases the chance of a good outcome.

Copperhead bites can cause intense pain, shock, and swelling. Their bites also have the potential to cause blood in urine, tissue damage, and kidney failure.

An interesting study has found that Copperhead venom contains a protein called contortrostatin. Contortrostatin has been found to stop the growth of cancer cells in mice.

Cottonmouth Snakes of Alabama

Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Another common name for the Northern Cottonmouth is water moccasin. They look a little bit like rattlesnakes without the rattle on the tail. People also sometimes mistake them for common water snakes. This could be a dangerous mistake.

Taxonomy of Alabama’s Northern Cottonmouths

Historically, Alabama’s cottonmouth population included Eastern and Western Cottonmouths. However, DNA analysis revealed minimal genetic differences between these groups. As a result, they are now taxonomically classified as Northern Cottonmouths. Their scientific name is Agkistrodon piscivorus.

What Do Northern Cottonmouths Look Like?

Coloration	Adults: Dark brown to black body with minimal markings. Inside of the mouth: White, giving them the name “cottonmouth.” Juveniles: More defined patterns, resembling a copperhead with darker bands that widen toward the belly and narrow along the back. Inside is pale pink to white, visible during their defensive open-mouthed pose (origin of the name “cottonmouth”).
Body Shape	*Stout, muscular snakes.
Size	*These snakes grow up to 3 feet (0.91 m) in length.
Behaviors	Cottonmouths arc their heads upward and display an open-mouthed pose when agitated. This exposes the white interior of their mouth. This is a warning to back off or suffer the consequences. Interestingly, they can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour while hunting for prey.
Distinctive Features	*Pupils are cat-like and elliptical, appearing as narrow slits during the day. At night, pupils appear round.

Where Do Northern Cottonmouths Live in Alabama?

Northern Cottonmouths range throughout much of Alabama. They are semi-aquatic snakes. They usually hang out near swamps, drainage ditches, slow-moving rivers, and lakes.

They commonly sun themselves on rocks or logs at the water’s edge.

Cottonmouths sometimes venture overland. It’s not unheard of to see one far from any aquatic environment.

What Do Northern Cottonmouths Eat?

These snakes prey on fish, freshwater crustaceans, amphibians, small mammals, and other reptiles. Cottonmouths sometimes congregate around drying wetland pools to feed on any trapped fish.

How Dangerous Are Northern Cottonmouths?

Northern Cottonmouth venom is cytotoxic. This means it destroys body tissue. Northern Cottonmouth bites sometimes lead to the amputation of limbs. On rare occasions, death can occur.

Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti)

The Florida Cottonmouth is a stout, muscular snake.

What Do Florida Cottonmouths Look Like?

Coloration	Body: Dark brown to black with 10 to 17 dark bands. Cheek: Black stripe on each cheek. Older snakes may darken to the point where markings are obscure or absent. Inside is pale pink to white, visible during their defensive open-mouthed pose (origin of the name “cottonmouth”).
Body Shape	*Stout, muscular snakes.
Size	Average length: 30 to 48 inches (76 to 122 cm). Larger individuals: May exceed 72 inches (183 cm).
Behaviors	Cottonmouths arc their heads upward and display an open-mouthed pose when agitated. This exposes the white interior of their mouth. This is a warning to back off or suffer the consequences. Interestingly, they can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour while hunting for prey.
Distinctive Features	Two dark bands run vertically on the tip of the snout (not present in Northern cottonmouths). Pupils are cat-like and elliptical, appearing as narrow slits during the day. At night, pupils appear round.

Where Do Florida Cottonmouths Live in Alabama?

These snakes are found in southeastern Alabama. They spend most of their time near swamps, marshes, rivers, and lakes. Like Northern Cottonmouths, they can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour while hunting for prey.

Although Florida Cottonmouths are semi-aquatic snakes, they are occasionally as far as one mile from surface water.

How Dangerous Are Florida Cottonmouths?

Florida cottonmouth snakes have strong hemolytic venom. The mortality rate for Florida Cottonmouth bites without antivenom treatment is up to 17%.

Rattlesnakes of Alabama

Here’s a list of Alabama’s five rattlesnake species.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius miliarius)
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)

Rattlesnakes are pit vipers. See the description of pit vipers above.

What Alabama’s rattlesnakes have in common with most other rattlesnake species is their rattle.

Most rattlesnakes have a rattle at their tail’s end, comprised of hollow, loosely interlocked keratinous scales.
Normally, a rattlesnake adds a new segment to its rattle each time it sheds its skin.
An agitated rattlesnake rapidly vibrates its tail, causing the segments of its rattle to vibrate together, creating a buzzing or rattling sound.
Not all Alabama’s rattlesnakes rattle before they strike. Sometimes, they lose their rattles due to injury, and sometimes, they choose not to rattle.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Timber Rattler and Canebrake Rattlesnake are both common names for the Timber Rattlesnake. Generally, in higher-elevation habitats, they are called Timber Rattlesnakes. On the coastal plain, though, they’re called Canebrake Rattlesnakes.

What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Look Like?

Size	Average length: 36 to 60 inches (0.91 to 1.52 m). Rare cases reported: Up to 7 feet (2.13 m).
Coloration	General base color: Yellowish-brown to grey-brown. Chevron pattern: Dark brown to black chevrons on their back and sides against a lighter base color. Back stripe: Rusty to reddish stripe running down their back. Tail color: Dark brown or black.
Melanistic Variation	Some timber rattlesnakes exhibit a dark, melanistic color morph. These snakes can appear almost entirely black. *The tail is darker than the rest of the body in this morph.
Behaviors	These snakes are excellent climbers. In fact, timber rattlers have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. The experts have proven that timber rattlesnakes help control Lyme disease. This is because as they consume rodents, they’re also consuming ticks. A timber rattler will consume 2,500 to 4,500 ticks per year, depending on the location.

What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?

Timber rattlers prey on:

Small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks
Small birds
Other reptiles and amphibians.

How Dangerous Are Timber Rattlesnakes?

Timber Rattlesnakes are among the most dangerous in the United States. This is due to their long fangs and high venom yield. 1% to 10% of untreated Timber Rattlesnake bites result in a fatality.
Fortunately, 40% to 60% of the time, they produce dry bites. In other words, although their fangs penetrate the body, they do not inject any venom.
These snakes produce hemotoxic venom. Timber Rattlesnake bites sometimes cause serious complications. These include shock, seizures, coma, internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

The Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in the United States.

What Do Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes Look Like?

Size	Average length: 3 to 6 feet (0.91 to 1.83 m). Record length: Up to 8 feet. *Average weight: 5 to 10 pounds (2.27 to 4.54 kg).
Coloration	*Base colors: Brownish-yellow, brownish-gray, or olive green. *Back: Brownish-black diamond-shaped pattern lined with cream-colored scales. *Tail: Diamond blotches transition into crossbands near the tail. *Belly: Cream-colored with dark mottling along the sides.
Distinctive Markings	The black band is outlined with white bands on either side. A black band runs from behind each eye down towards the mouth.

Where Do Eastern Diamondbacks Live in Alabama?

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake lives in extreme southern Alabama.

They prefer coastal forests, scrublands, and pine and wiregrass flatwoods. They can be found in moist areas such as wet prairies, savannas, and around wetland borders. These snakes are proficient swimmers. It’s not uncommon for them to swim between barrier reefs and along swamp edges.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Behavior

Eastern Diamondbacks shelter in gopher, tortoise, and armadillo burrows. They emerge early in the morning or afternoon to bask in the sun. Occasionally, these snakes climb into bushes and trees, hunting for prey. Some have been spotted as high as 33 feet off the ground.

How Dangerous Are Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes?

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes have powerful hemotoxic venom. They kill more people than any other venomous snake in the United States.

Eastern Diamondback bites cause severe pain, edema, headache, nausea, dizziness, and convulsions. Their hemotoxic venom impairs blood coagulation. This may lead to severe internal bleeding, which may lead to kidney damage.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)

The Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake is a small, slender-tailed snake with a tiny rattle.

What Do Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake Look Like?

Size	Small, slender-tailed snake with a tiny rattle. Length: 14 to 30 inches (36 to 76 cm). *Average length: 21.1 inches (54 cm).
Coloration and Markings	*Body: Dark gray with dark-colored blotches along the top and sides. *Stripe: Rust-colored vertical stripe on the back (may be absent in some individuals). *Belly: Cream-colored, often mottled. *Face: Distinct dark stripe from the corner of the mouth to the eye.
Rattle and Sound	A tiny rattle produces a faint, grasshopper-like buzz. Sound can only be heard from a few feet away.

Where Do Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake Live in Alabama?

Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnakes live on Alabama’s Lower Coastal Plain. They prefer sandy pinelands and scrub regions near bodies of water. Pygmy rattlesnakes are rarely found in extremely dry habitats.

These snakes also have other common names. A couple of them are Barbour’s Pygmy Rattlesnakes and Florida Ground Rattlesnakes.

How Dangerous Are Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes?

Dusky Pygmy rattlesnakes have cytotoxic venom. By definition, cytotoxic venom destroys the body’s cells. It contains digestive enzymes that disrupt blood flow and prevent blood from clotting. Luckily, these snakes produce a small venom yield. Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake bites are painful. But there has never been a human fatality caused by one. However, any pygmy rattlesnake bite victim should still receive prompt medical attention.

Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius miliarius)

The Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake is a small, slender-tailed snake with a tiny rattle.

What Do Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake Look Like?

Size	Small, slender-tailed snake with a tiny rattle. Length: 16 to 25 inches (41 to 64 cm). *Average length: 21.1 inches (54 cm).
Coloration and Markings	*Body: Light gray to reddish above, with dark-colored blotches along the top and sides. *Stripe: Rust-colored vertical stripe on the back (may be absent in some individuals). *Belly: Cream-colored, often mottled. *Face: Distinct dark stripe from the corner of the mouth to the eye.
Rattle and Sound	A tiny rattle produces a faint, grasshopper-like buzz. Sound can only be heard from a few feet away.

Where Do Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnakes Live in Alabama?

Carolina pigmy rattlesnakes live in the northern one-third of Alabama. Their range also extends southward to Lee County. They favor sandhills, mixed forests, floodplains, marshes, and borders of cypress ponds. These snakes are rarely found in extremely dry habitats.

This snake has some other common names. They are Pygmy Rattlesnake, Ground Rattlesnake, and Hog-nosed rattlesnake.

How Dangerous Are Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnakes?

Carolina Pygmy rattlesnakes have cytotoxic venom. By definition, cytotoxic venom destroys the body’s cells. Luckily, these snakes produce a small venom yield. A Pygmy Rattlesnake bite is unlikely to be fatal. However, any bite victim should still receive prompt medical attention.

Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)

The Western Pygmy Rattlesnake is a small, slender-tailed snake with a tiny rattle.

What Do Western Pygmy Rattlesnake Look Like?

Size	Small, slender-tailed snake with a tiny rattle. Length: 16 to 25 inches (41 to 64 cm). *Average length: 21.1 inches (54 cm).
Coloration and Markings	*Body: Light grayish brown with dark-colored blotches that form crossbars along the top and sides. *Stripe: Rust-colored vertical stripe on the back (may be absent in some individuals). *Belly: Cream-colored, often mottled. *Face: Distinct dark stripe from the corner of the mouth to the eye.
Rattle and Sound	A tiny rattle produces a faint, grasshopper-like buzz. Sound can only be heard from a few feet away.

Where Do Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes Live in Alabama?

This species inhabits west central Alabama. They prefer sandhills, mixed forests, and floodplains near aquatic environments. They are rarely found in extremely dry habitats.

Other common names for this snake are ground rattlesnake and pygmy rattlesnake.

How Dangerous Are Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes?

Western Pygmy rattlesnakes have cytotoxic venom. By definition, cytotoxic venom destroys the body’s cells. This venom disrupts blood flow and prevents clotting with its digestive enzymes. Luckily, these snakes produce a small venom yield. A bite from a pygmy rattlesnake is unlikely to be fatal. However, any bite victim should still receive prompt medical attention.

Coral Snake of Alabama

Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

The Eastern Coral Snake or Harlequin Coral Snake is the only venomous snake in Alabama that is not a pit viper. Instead, they belong to the Elapidae family, along with Cobras and Mambas.

What Do Eastern Coral Snakes Look Like?

Size	Eastern Coral Snakes can grow up to 4 feet (122 cm), but most are around 2 feet (61 cm). Sexually dimorphic: Males are slightly smaller than females.
Physical Features	Rounded heads and noses, with tails that resemble the head. This similarity can make it hard to distinguish the head from the tail.
Coloration	Brightly colored, highly venomous snake. Bands of black, light yellow, and red. Yellow bands separate the red and black bands.

Where Do Eastern Coral Snakes Live in Alabama?

The Eastern Coral snake lives in southern Alabama. The places they live in range from dry, open, bushy areas to hardwood forests and pine flatwoods.

Batesian Mimicry Of Coral Snakes

Batesian mimicry is a biological term. It describes how a harmless species protects itself by resembling a dangerous one. For example, the scarlet king and eastern milk snakes are nonvenomous snakes. However, their color patterns closely resemble the venomous coral snake. The difference is that a coral snake’s red and yellow bands touch. On the other hand, the nonvenomous species’ color patterns are red, black, and yellow. Also, a coral snake’s head is blunt and entirely black, even behind its eyes, while a Kingsnake’s head is red.

This rhyme helps people distinguish between a nonvenomous species and a coral snake. “Red and yellow can kill a fellow; Red touch black, a friend of Jack.”

Caution: the rhyme is mostly accurate in the United States. However, coral snakes from areas south of the U.S. do not always follow the black-yellow-red pattern. This is also true in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Finally, rare coral snakes do not follow the usual color pattern in the United States. Pink, cream-colored, light blue, and completely black coral snakes exist in the wild.

How Dangerous are Coral Snakes?

Coral snakes are highly venomous snakes. Herpetologists regard them as the most venomous snake in the United States. Fortunately, they almost never bite.

Coral snake venom is a neurotoxin and is the second strongest of any snake. The experts consider coral snakes to be less dangerous than rattlesnakes, though. Their smaller mouths and short fangs produce less venom. Thus, they have a less effective venom delivery system.

People should take coral snake bites seriously, though. Before we had antivenom, the death rate after coral snake envenomation was around 10%.

Potential effects of coral snake envenomation include,

muscle weakness
difficulty speaking
difficulty swallowing
difficulty breathing
Inability to move eyelids
blurred vision
twitching of the tongue
paralysis
respiratory arrest

One reported death has been caused by an Eastern Coral Snake bite in the last 40 years. Source

Alabama’s Venomous Snakes in Winter: Insights into Brumation

During winter, Alabama’s snakes, like all reptiles, enter a dormant state called brumation—a hibernation-like period. Because snakes are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and cannot regulate their body temperature internally, they slow their metabolism and become inactive during the colder months.

Brumation Habits

Solo vs. Communal Brumation: Some snakes brumate alone, while others gather in communal dens. For example, Eastern Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes often share dens, which may house up to 60 snakes.
Mixed-Species Dens: Interestingly, these dens can include non-venomous species. It’s not uncommon to find Black Rat Snakes or Eastern Black Racers sheltering alongside venomous snakes.

Regional Variations

Snakes may only seek shelter in warmer areas, such as southern Alabama, on the coldest winter days. They might not enter full brumation due to milder conditions.

Where Snakes Spend Winter

Snakes seek out protected spots to brumate, such as:

Rock crevices
Hollow logs
Fissures on rocky hillsides

They often choose south-facing slopes because these areas receive more sunlight, providing additional warmth during winter.

This natural adaptation allows Alabama’s venomous snakes to survive the winter and re-emerge when temperatures rise.

Avoiding Snake Bite

In Alabama, copperheads are responsible for the most venomous snake bites. These snakes rely on their excellent camouflage to stay hidden. They often remain perfectly still to avoid detection. If you’re walking in the woods and unknowingly get too close, a copperhead might not move, hoping you’ll pass by. Many bites happen when someone accidentally steps on the snake. To stay safe in snake habitats, always watch where you step and where you place your hands.

Another common cause of snake bite is attempts to capture or kill a snake. Remember, venomous snakes can strike instantly, delivering a potentially life-threatening bite. The safest approach is to keep a safe distance and leave them alone.

Dressing for Snake Country

High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
Also, wear loose-fitting denim. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.

Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites

Some of the symptoms you may experience when a venomous snake bites you include:

Discoloration in the area of the bite.
Swelling in the area of the bite.
Loss of muscle coordination.
Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
Feeling nauseous.
Having a faster heartbeat or rapid pulse.

What Should You Do if You Are Bitten?

If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. Because the sooner a victim receives antivenom, the less chance the venom in their body has to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical help.

Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate and often do. If you have a phone, take a picture of the offending reptile. Otherwise, get started on your way to the doctor.

First Aid for Snake Bite Victims

Remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.

Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.

Get medical attention as soon as possible. Call the hospital to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have antivenom ready to give you as soon as you arrive.
A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.

Conclusion

Alabama is home to a diverse array of venomous snakes, each playing a crucial role in the state’s ecosystems. From the copperhead and cottonmouth to the five species of rattlesnakes and the elusive coral snake, these reptiles exhibit unique adaptations for survival and hunting. While their presence can be intimidating, understanding their habitats, behaviors, and identifying characteristics is key to safely coexisting with them.

By respecting these snakes and exercising caution, such as wearing protective footwear in snake-prone areas and avoiding unnecessary interactions, residents and visitors can greatly reduce the risk of venomous bites.