Venomous Snakes of Kansas

There are 43 different snakes in Kansas. Out of these, there are six venomous snakes. In this article, we’ll list these snakes and describe each of them. We’ll also tell you where you’ll most likely find them in the sunflower state.

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 are crucial in maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling 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. 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.

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 Kansas?

Cottonmouths are rare in Kansas. But they have been spotted in Cherokee County, which is in the state’s southeastern part. The cottonmouths that have been sighted there were in the Spring River drainage.

Cottonmouths are semi-aquatic snakes. They spend most of their time near swamps, marshes, rivers, and lakes.

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?

A Cottonmouth bite contains cytotoxic venom. 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?

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.

Where Do Eastern Copperheads Live in Kansas?

You will find the Eastern Copperhead throughout the eastern third of Kansas. They are the most common venomous snake in that part of the state. They are one of two venomous snake species living in the Kansas City area. The other one is the Timber Rattlesnake.

They are found in river bottoms where the leaf and plant debris provide cover for them to hide. They are also, at times, located in wooded suburbs.

Eastern Copperhead Behavior

Copperheads have excellent camouflage coloration. It helps them blend in with leaf litter and other ground debris. Furthermore, 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.

For defensive behavior, 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?

Copperheads prey on a variety of species. Their menu includes small rodents, amphibians, small birds, snakes, lizards, and large insects.

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.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

(Also known as the Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake or Adobe Snake.)

What Do Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes Look Like?

Size	Grows from 4 ft to 7 ft (1.22 to 2.13 m) in length. Average weight: 3 to 6 lb (1.23 to 2.7 kg)
Coloration	*Base colors: Yellow, light brown, salmon, gray, gray-brown, cream, or olive. *Dark diamond-shaped patterns along the back give it the name “Diamondback.” A dark line* runs from the corner of the mouth to behind the eye.
Dorsal spots	Edges are darker than the base color. Centers are slightly darker than the base color.
Head	Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes have a triangle shaped head* that is characteristic of pitvipers. The color varies with the base color of the snake. A pale stripe extends from behind its eye on a diagonal to the end of the upper lip.
Tail	Features two to eight black bands* above the rattle which are separated by pale gray bands.

Where Do They Live in Kansas?

Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are rare in Kansas. But they have been spotted in Comanche and Barber counties. There is also suitable habitat for them in southeastern Kiowa County. This is in the south-central region of the state.

Western diamondbacks have also been observed or captured in Kanopolis State Park. This is in Ellsworth County, which is in the center of the state. Scientists believe that these snakes have been illegally introduced to the area.

Western Diamondback rattlesnakes prefer arid, dry conditions. They live in deserts and plains in rocky, dry, shrub-covered terrain.

What Do Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes Eat?

These snakes prey on small mammals such as mice, rats, prairie dogs, and rabbits. They also prey on ground-dwelling birds, lizards, and small snakes.

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.

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.

Where Do Timber Rattlesnake Live in Kansas?

Timber Rattlesnakes live in eastern Kansas from the Flint Hills east. This is about the eastern third of the state.

What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?

Timber rattlers prey on small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and bats. They also eat small birds, other reptiles, and amphibians.

How Dangerous Are Timber Rattlesnakes?

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

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.

Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)

What Do Prairie Rattlesnakes Look Like?

Size	Adults typically measure about 3.3 feet (100 cm) in length. The longest recorded specimen was just under 5 feet (151.5 cm) long.
Coloration	*Their base color varies and can be tan, olive green, or brown.
Dorsal Spots	*Brown blotches with darker borders are present on their bodies.
Head	They have a triangular-shaped head with pit sensory organs on either side. A light stripe runs diagonally from the back of each eye to the jaw. *Another stripe extends diagonally from below the eye to the corner of the mouth
Behavior	*Primarily ground-dwelling but occasionally climbs shrubs, bushes, or trees.

Where Do Prairie Rattlesnakes Live in Kansas?

Prairie Rattlesnakes are found throughout the western half of the state of Kansas. Their habitat includes open prairies, grasslands, and forested areas.

Prairie Rattlesnake Behavior

Prairie rattlesnakes are mostly ground snakes. But they occasionally climb into shrubs, bushes, or trees.

Prairie Rattlesnakes brumate in communal dens. But their hunting grounds extend as far as seven miles from their dens in the summertime. In the warmer months, prairie rattlers might shelter in old mammal burrows. But in the fall, they will return to their communal dens.

How Dangerous Are Prairie Rattlesnakes?

Prairie rattlesnake venom is a mix of hemotoxins and myotoxins. Furthermore, according to some literature, it also has neurotoxins.

Prairie rattlesnake bites can have serious effects. The venom can cause severe pain. It may also induce shock, making the victim feel weak and disoriented. Swelling, blistering, and inflammation can occur at the bite site. Their venom can also damage red blood cells and impair blood clotting. In severe cases, the bite may result in severe tissue damage. There is also a risk of harm to internal organs.

Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus tergeminus)

What Do Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes Look Like?

Size	*Adults range from 14 to 36 inches (36 cm to 91cm) long.
Coloration	Their base color is light gray. Younger snakes are paler than adults.
Dorsal Spots	A row of large, rounded, dark brown spots run down their spine. They have three smaller rows of spots down each side. *In some cases, the larger dorsal spots connect with the side spots, forming a large solid blotch.
Face	They have a dark stripe on each side of their face and across their eye.

Where Do Western Massasaugas Live in Kansas?

The Western Massasauga lives in much of Kansas’ eastern two-thirds. They also live in western Kansas along the Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers.

How Dangerous Are Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes?

The venom of the Massasauga rattlesnake is cytotoxic. Cytotoxic venom destroys body tissue. Moreover, digestive enzymes in cytotoxic venom disrupt blood flow and prevent clotting. Massasauga bites to humans are rare. However, they do occur.

There are two documented deaths in Ontario from Eastern Massasauga envenomation. In each case, the victim did not receive antivenom in time.

Kansas’ Venomous Snakes in Winter: Insights into Brumation

During winter, like all reptiles, Kansas’ snakes 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 Kansas’ venomous snakes to survive the winter and re-emerge when temperatures rise.

Avoiding Snake Bite

Many bites happen when someone accidentally steps on or near 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 treatment.

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 photo of the snake. Otherwise, get started on your way to the nearest hospital.

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 when 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.