There are 6 venomous snake species in Arkansas. They are the following.
- Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
- Western Diamondback Rattlesnake(Crotalus atrox)
- Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
- Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)
- Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener)
We will talk about each of these dangerous snakes in the paragraphs below.
The update of this article reflects the new taxonomic classification of the Eastern Copperhead Snake. For more information, click on the link. See
Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
The Eastern Copperhead is a pit viper native to the eastern and mid-western United States.
Eastern Copperhead snakes have reddish-tan to grayish-tan bodies. Their bodies are overlaid with hourglass-shaped dark brown markings. Their triangular heads are proportionately large. The color of their head is dark coppery brown. This is the reason they have the name “Copperhead.”
Copperheads are stout heavy-bodied snakes. Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long.
Where Do Eastern Copperheads Live in Arkansas?
Eastern Copperhead snakes live throughout the state of Arkansas. They live in pine-hardwood forests, floodplain hardwood forests, brushy fields, and rocky hillsides.
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.
Wintertime Brumation
Snakes do not tolerate the cold weather in the winter months very well. They are ectotherms, which means they can not regulate their body temperature internally. Physiologically, ectotherms cannot hibernate. However, they go into a state of suspended animation called brumation for up to 6 months out of the year.
Copperheads winter underneath rocks, in hollow logs, and in fissures on rocky hillsides. An individual might brumate alone in some parts of their range. But copperheads tend to be social. In some areas, they congregate together in dens with other snakes through the winter.
In hilly terrain, south-facing slopes capture more radiant warmth from the sun. So, that is where these dens are generally located. The other snakes they den with are not necessarily just copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with other species of snakes. You may find a Timber Rattler, a Black Rat Snake, or an Eastern Black Racer sharing the same den with copperheads. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
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 when 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. If a copperhead bite victim gets medical help fast, they have a better chance of a positive 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.
Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Another common name for the Northern Cottonmouth is water moccasin. These are stout, muscular snakes that grow up to 3 feet (.91m) long. 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.
The Northern Cottonmouth has a dark brown to black body with few markings. The inside of their mouth is white, hence the name “cottonmouth.” When threatened, they will pose with their mouth open. They have cat-like pupils, which appear as narrow slits in the day, and at night, they have a round appearance.
The juvenile cottonmouth has a more clearly defined pattern than adults. Their patterning resembles that of a copperhead. They have darker bands, though, that widen toward the belly and narrow at the back.
Where Do Cottonmouths Live?
Cottonmouths range throughout much of Arkansas. They are semi-aquatic snakes. They usually hang out near swamps, drainage ditches, slow-moving rivers, and lakes.
Cottonmouths sometimes venture overland. It’s not unheard of to see one far from any aquatic environment. See
What Do 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. Interestingly, they can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour while hunting for prey.
How Dangerous are Cottonmouths?
Cottonmouth venom is cytotoxic. This means it destroys body tissue. Cottonmouth bites sometimes lead to the amputation of limbs. On rare occasions, death can occur. See
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Western Diamondback rattlesnakes grow from 4 ft to 7 ft (1.22 to 2.13m) long. They have dark diamond-shaped patterns along their back. This is why they have the name “Diamondback.” A dark line runs from the corner of the mouth to behind the eye. Their base color varies from yellow, light brown, salmon, gray, gray-brown, cream, or olive. The edges of their dorsal spots are darker, with the centers being a bit darker than the base color. Their tail has two to eight black bands separated by pale gray bands.
This species has various names, including the western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake and Adobe Snake.
Where Do Western Diamondbacks Live?
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake’s range in the U.S. begins in Arkansas and Oklahoma. It then stretches to the west and takes in parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and California.
In Arkansas, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes live in the west-central part of the state. They live in diverse habitats such as plains, rocky regions, and forests.
How Dangerous are Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes?
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake venom is Hemotoxic, cytotoxic, and myotoxic. If a Western Diamondback bite goes untreated, it can cause serious problems. These include severe internal bleeding and tissue damage, which might result in gangrene. Source
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Timber Rattlesnakes range throughout much of Arkansas, although people rarely run into them. They live in varied environments like mountains, pine forests, swamps, fields, and floodplains.
The average Timber Rattlesnake grows between 36 to 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. However, there have been reports of them growing up to 7 feet(2.13m) long. See
These snakes vary in color. Their general base coloration is a yellowish-brown to grey-brown. They have a dark brown to black chevron pattern on their back and sides against a lighter background. Moreover, they have a rusty to reddish stripe down their backs. There are also melanistic timber rattlers. These are dark and sometimes almost entirely black.
Wintertime Brumation
As we discussed in the section on copperheads, snakes brumate in the winter. Brumation is a reptile’s version of hibernation.
Timber Rattlesnakes make wintertime dens in sheltered spots. They den underneath rocks and logs, as well as in fissures in rocky hillsides. An individual Timber Rattler might brumate alone in some parts of their range. But in other areas, they congregate in dens with other snakes through the winter.
Dens are usually placed on slopes facing south because they get more warmth from the sun. They don’t always share their dens only with Timber Rattlesnakes. Sometimes, they share their dens with other species of snakes. These might include Copperheads, Black Rat Snakes, and Eastern Black Racers. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?
Timber Rattlesnakes prey on small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks. They also eat small birds, other reptiles, and amphibians.
These snakes are excellent climbers. In fact, timber rattlers have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. Source
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 Rattlesnake will consume 2,500 to 4,500 ticks per year, depending on the location. See
How Dangerous are Timber Rattlesnakes?
Timber Rattlesnakes produce hemotoxic venom. These snakes 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
Timber Rattlesnake bites sometimes cause serious complications. These include shock, seizures, coma, internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage. Source
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)
The Western Pygmy Rattlesnake is a small, slender-tailed snake with a tiny rattle. It grows in length between 16 to 25 inches (.41 to .64m). The base color of their body is light gray. Furthermore, they have a rust-colored stripe along their spine. (The stripe may be absent in some individuals.) They also have a series of dark-colored blotches along their top and sides. Their cream-colored belly is frequently mottled. They have a distinct, dark stripe that leads from the corner of their mouth to their eye. They have a tiny rattle that is a faint grasshopper-like buzz that can only be heard about a yard away.
Where are Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes Found in Arkansas?
Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes range throughout much of Arkansas except the extreme eastern border. They live in sandhills, mixed forests, and floodplains. Also, these snakes usually range within a couple of miles of large bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes.
How Dangerous are Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes?
The venom of the Western Pygmy Rattlesnake is cytotoxic. Cytotoxic venom destroys tissue, disrupts blood flow, and prevents blood from clotting. Yet, this snake’s venom yield is so low that it is unlikely that a bite could be fatal. But anyone bitten by this snake should still seek medical attention.
Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener)
Texas Coral Snakes live in the southeastern United States. They also live in northeastern and central Mexico. These snakes inhabit the extreme southwestern portion of Arkansas.
The Texas Coral Snake can grow up to 48 inches(122cm) long, but most grow up to 24 inches(61cm). The males are slightly smaller than the females. They have rounded heads and noses with similar-looking tails. In fact, sometimes people have a hard time telling a coral snake’s head from its tail because they are so similar.
Coral snakes are brightly colored, highly venomous snakes. They have black, light yellow, and red bands, with the yellow bands separating the red and black.
Lori Monday is a regional educator with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. She states that it’s a common miss conception that all venomous snakes have slit pupils. The other five venomous snakes in Arkansas are members of the Viperidae family. As such, they have vertical slit-like pupils. On the other hand, coral snakes are members of the Elapidae family. Elapid snakes have round pupils. Source
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, kingsnakes, scarlet snakes, and milk snakes are all nonvenomous snakes. However, their color patterns all 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.”
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.
What Do Texas Coral Snakes Eat?
Texas Coral Snakes primarily eat other snakes and small lizards. It is rare for them to eat rodents.
Texas Coral Snake Behavior
Coral snakes are underground snakes. They spend most of their time buried in the sand, under leaf piles, and in rotten logs.
Defensive Farting
When rattlesnakes are uptight, they rattle their tails. On the other hand, coral snakes react to stress a bit differently.
When coral snakes are agitated, they fart. To do this, they draw air into their cloacas and force it out again. This makes a popping sound. Source
How Dangerous Are Texas Coral Snakes?
Coral snakes have neurotoxic venom. It is the second most potent snake venom in the world. (The mamba being the most venomous).
However, they are considered less dangerous than rattlesnakes. The reason is that they have a less effective venom delivery system. Their smaller mouth and fangs produce less venom. Yet, a coral snake bite should be taken seriously, and medical treatment should be sought. Sometimes, the manifestation of a severe bite doesn’t present itself for 24 hours.
Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites
Some of the symptoms you may experience from a venomous snake bite 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 an abnormally rapid pulse.
What Should You Do If A Venomous Snake Bites You?
If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. This is because the sooner a victim receives anti-venom, the less likely the venom in their body is to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
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. 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 reason is that 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 anti-venom ready to give you as soon as you arrive.
- A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, you should lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.
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.
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