There are 43 different snakes in Kansas. Out of these, there are 6 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.
Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
Western Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
Pit Vipers
The Kansas Wildlife Department states that all venomous snakes in the state are pit vipers. Pit vipers have heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are actually specialized organs that detect infrared radiation from prey animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They are also able to detect body heat from about 1 meter away.
Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. These snakes are an integral part of the ecosystem. This is because they maintain balance in rodent populations.
Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Another common name for the Northern Cottonmouth snake is water moccasin. This stout, heavy-bodied snake grows 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 snake. They have darker bands, though, that widen toward the belly and narrow at the back.
Where Do Northern Cottonmouths Live in Kansas?
Cottonmouths are rare in Kansas. But they have been spotted in Cherokee County in the southeastern part of the state. 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. They can hold their breath underwater for up to an hour while hunting for prey.
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. 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 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.
Wintertime Brumation
Snakes do not tolerate the cold weather in the winter months very well. They are ectotherms, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature internally. Physiologically, ectotherms cannot hibernate. Yet, 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 a communal den with other snakes.
In hilly terrain, south-facing slopes capture more radiant warmth from the sun. So, that is where these dens are generally located. Rock ledges with deep cracks are likely denning sites.
The other snakes they den with are not necessarily just copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with other types of snakes. You may find a Timber Rattler, or Western Black Rat Snake, sharing the same den with copperheads. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
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)
The Western Diamondback is the largest of the southwestern desert rattlesnakes. They grow from 4 to 7 feet (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. It can be yellow, light brown, salmon, gray, gray-brown, cream, or olive. The edges of their dorsal spots are darker, with the centers slightly darker than the base color. Their tail has two to eight dark bands separated by pale gray bands.
This species has various names, including the Western Diamond-backed rattlesnake and Adobe Snake.
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. Source
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. Source
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.
The average Timber Rattlesnake grows between 36 and 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, though. They have a dark brown to black chevron pattern on their back and sides against a lighter base color. Moreover, they have a rusty to reddish stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. There are also melanistic timber rattlers. These are dark and sometimes almost entirely black. In the dark color morph of these snakes, the tail is also darker than the rest of the snake’s body.
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.
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 rattler will consume 2,500 to 4,500 ticks per year, depending on the location. See
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 Rattlers. Sometimes, they share their dens with other species of snakes. These might include Copperheads, Black Rat Snakes. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
How Dangerous Are Timber Rattlesnakes?
Timber Rattlesnakes are among the most dangerous snakes in North America. 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
Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
Adult Prairie rattlesnakes average around 3.3 feet (100 cm) in length. The longest recorded specimen measured just under 5 feet (151.5 cm) long. They are tan-colored with varying colors of brown blotches covering their bodies. They have a distinguishing triangle-shaped head with pit sensory organs on either side. A light stripe runs diagonally from the back of its eye to its jaw. Another strip runs diagonally from below its eye to the corner of its mouth.
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. Source
Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus tergeminus)
Western Massasaugas are the smallest venomous snakes in Kansas. Adults grow between 14 and 36 inches (36 and 91 cm) long. Their body is a light gray with dark brown blotches. They also 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. Source
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.
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.
