The 7 Venomous Snakes in Mississippi

There are seven venomous snakes in Mississippi. The list includes four rattlesnakes, a cottonmouth, a copperhead, and a coral snake.

The venomous snake species in Mississippi are vital to the health of the state’s environment in that they help keep rodent populations under control. Each of these snakes is potentially dangerous, though. In fact, in an average year, 236 people are bitten by venomous snakes in Mississippi.

It’s important for anyone who spends time in Mississippi’s outdoors to learn about these dangerous snakes.

In this guide, we’ll provide detailed profiles of each of Mississippi’s venomous snake species. We’ll give detailed information on how to recognize them, how dangerous they are, and what environments they live in within Mississippi.

Pit Vipers: The Venomous Masters of Infrared Detection

Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths are North American members of the Crotalinae subfamily of the Viperidae family of venomous snakes. They are also referred to as pit vipers.

Since Florida has three rattlesnakes as well as the Florida Cottonmouth and the Eastern Copperhead, let’s take a look at some pit viper characteristics.

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 serve as a check to rodent populations. Despite their fearsome reputation, these snakes are vital to the health of many habitats.

Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Another common name for the Northern Cottonmouth snake is water moccasin. They look a little bit like rattlesnakes without the rattle on the tail. Sometimes, a cottonmouth is mistaken for a Northern Water Snake. This could be a dangerous mistake.

What Do Northern Cottonmouths Look Like?

Size	*These snakes grow up to 3 feet (0.91 m) in length.
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.
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.
Conservation Status:	*Found throughout the state.

Where Do Northern Cottonmouths Live in Mississippi?

These snakes are found throughout much of the state of Mississippi. 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.

Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

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

What Do Eastern Copperheads Look Like?

Size	*Adults range from 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) in length.
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.
Conservation Status	*Found throughout the state.

Where Do Eastern Copperheads Live in Mississippi?

You will find the Eastern Copperhead throughout the entire state of Mississippi. They are found in river bottoms where the leaf litter and plant debris provide cover for them to hide. They are also, at times, located in wooded suburbs.

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 Copperheads Eat?

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

How Dangerous Are 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.

Rattlesnakes in Mississippi

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

Here’s a list of Mississippi’s rattlesnake species.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus m. barbouri)
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus m. streckeri)
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

What Mississippi rattlesnakes have in common with most other rattlesnake species is their rattle.

Most rattlesnakes have a rattle at the end of their tail, 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 rattling or buzzing sound.
Not all rattlesnakes rattle before they strike. Sometimes, they lose their rattles due to injury, and sometimes, they choose not to rattle.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)

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

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.
Conservation Status	*Found throughout the state.

Where Do Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake Live in Mississippi?

They are located in sandhills, mixed forests, and floodplains in southeast Mississippi. They are also located near marshes and lakes.

These snakes also have other common names. A couple of them are Barbour’s Pygmy Rattlesnake and Pigmy Rattlesnake.

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.

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.
Conservation Status	*Found throughout the state.

Where Do Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes Live in Mississippi?

This species lives throughout much of Mississippi. 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.

Eastern Diamond-backed 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.
Conservation Status	*Serious need for protection.

Where Do Eastern Diamondbacks Live in Mississippi?

The Eastern Diamondback is found in the southeastern portion of Mississippi. They are rare in the state. This is due to the destruction of their habitat, human persecution, and roadkill.

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 potent 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.

2 Mississippi Scorpions – Krebs Creek

Wild Cats in Mississippi – Krebs Creek

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.
Conservation status	Found throughout the state.

Where Do Timber Rattlesnakes Live in Mississippi?

The Timber Rattlesnake lives in various habitats. These include wooded areas, swamps, farm fields, and river floodplains.

Here in Mississippi, you will find these snakes throughout the state.

What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?

Timber rattlers prey on small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks. They also eat 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. Source

These snakes produce hemotoxic venom. Timber Rattlesnake bites sometimes cause serious complications. These include shock, seizures, coma, internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage. Source

Coral Snake

Eastern Coral Snake (Harlequin Coral)

The Eastern Coral Snake is the only venomous snake in Florida 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.
Coloration	Brightly colored, highly venomous snake. Bands of black, light yellow, and red. *Yellow bands separate the red and black bands.
Physical Features	Rounded heads and noses, with tails that resemble the head. This similarity can make distinguishing the head from the tail hard.
Conservation Status	*Found in Southeastern Mississippi.

Where Do Eastern Coral Snakes Live in Mississippi?

The Eastern Coral snake is found in the southeastern counties of Mississippi. They live in dry, open, bushy areas, 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 touches black, a friend of Jack.”

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, there are rare coral snakes that 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 snakes in the United States. Fortunately, they almost never bite.

A coral snake’s venom is a neurotoxin and the second strongest 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.

Mississippi’s Venomous Snakes in Winter: Insights into Brumation

During winter, Mississippi’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 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 Mississippi’s venomous snakes to survive the winter and re-emerge when temperatures rise.

Avoiding Snake Bite

Snakes, including venomous ones, commonly rely on camouflage to avoid potential threats. They often remain perfectly still to avoid detection. If you’re walking in the woods and unknowingly get too close, a snake might not move, hoping you’ll pass by. Many bites happen when someone accidentally steps on or close to 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

Understanding Mississippi’s seven venomous snake species is crucial for anyone spending time outdoors in the state. While these snakes play a vital role in controlling rodent populations and maintaining ecological balance, they can pose a danger if encountered unexpectedly. By learning to identify these snakes, recognizing their habitats, and knowing how to respond to a potential bite, you can enjoy Mississippi’s natural beauty safely.

Always remain alert when exploring areas where snakes may reside, and remember that most snake bites occur when people accidentally disturb them. Stay on trails, wear protective footwear, and avoid handling or provoking any snake. In case of a bite, seek medical attention immediately.

By respecting these fascinating creatures and their role in the ecosystem, we can coexist safely while appreciating the incredible diversity of Mississippi’s wildlife.