There are 33 different snakes in Nebraska. Out of these, there are 4 species of venomous snakes. In this article, we will list the venomous snakes. We’ll then describe each snake and tell you where you will likely find them in Nebraska.
- Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus)
- Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
- Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Nebraska’s venomous snake species are all pit vipers. Pit vipers have heat-sensing pits on each side of the head between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are actually infrared receptors that detect heat energy from warm-blooded animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They can also detect body heat from up to 1 meter away.
All pit vipers have a distinctive triangular-shaped head.
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.
Eastern Copperhead
| Scientific Name: | Agkistrodon contortrix |
| Description: | Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long. Their bodies are coppery brown overlayed with dark brown hourglass blotches. |
| Habitat: | Deciduous forests, river bottoms, and rocky wooded hillsides. |
| Conservation Status: | Common venomous snake in Nebraska. |
The Eastern Copperhead is a pit viper native to the eastern and mid-western United States.
Copperheads are stout heavy-bodied snakes. Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long.
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.”
Where Do Eastern Copperheads Live in Nebraska?
You will find the Eastern Copperhead in the southeastern corner of Nebraska. Their range takes in Richardson, Pawnee, and Gage counties. They inhabit wooded areas such as river bottoms.
Copperheads are a common venomous species of snake. Besides Nebraska, they are native to 27 U.S. states.
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. Rocky areas and 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 Massasauga Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name: | Sistrurus tergeminus |
| Description: | Adult Eastern Massasaugas average 14 to 39 inches (35 to 99 cm) long. Their body is light grey with dark brown blotches. |
| Habitat: | Tall grass prairies and open woodlands. |
| Conservation Status: | Threatened species in Nebraska. |
The Western Massasauga is Nebraska’s smallest pit viper. This rattlesnake grows to a length between 14 to 39 inches (35 to 99 cm). Their body is a light gray with dark brown blotches. They are similar to the Desert Massasauga but lighter in color. They also have a dark bar that goes from the side of their face and across the eye. This dark bar has a white stripe above and below it.
Where Do Western Massasaugas Live in Nebraska?
Western Massasaugas live in the tall grass prairies of southeastern Nebraska. Their range takes in Jefferson, Gage, Thayer, and Pawnee counties.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission classsifies the Western Massasauga as a threatened species.
Western Massasauga Behavior
In Nebraska, Western Massasaugas are generally diurnal or active during the day. However, in the summer months, they may be most active either at dawn or dusk. This helps them avoid overheating.
Massasaugas are timid snakes that prefer to rely on their camouflage for protection. When you approach, they may lie perfectly still rather than sounding a warning rattle. When they do rattle, the sound is high-pitched. It brings to mind the buzzing of an insect.
If you approach one of these snakes too closely, they may try to escape to thicker cover. They will bite you as a last resort. Be careful about where you place your hands and feet when you’re in these snakes ‘habitat. Several people receive massasauga bites each year.
Like other reptiles, Western Massasauga rattlesnakes brumate in the winter. Brumation is a reptile’s version of hibernation. In southeastern Nebraska, Western Massasaugas brumate exclusively in crayfish burrows. Sometimes, they spend the winter alongside the crayfish that dug the burrow.
What Do Western Massasaugas Eat?
Adult Western Massasaugas mostly eat small mammals such as voles, mice, and shrews. They also might consume small snakes, lizards, birds, and frogs. Young massasaugas eat small snakes and small shrews. Source
How Dangerous Are Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes?
Massasauga rattlesnakes have potent venom that 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.
Fortunately for us, these snakes have short fangs. They also do not deliver a large dose of venom. Western Massasauga bites should not be taken lightly. In a worst-case scenario, they are life-threatening.
There are two documented deaths in Ontario from Eastern Massasauga bites. In each case, the victim did not receive antivenom in time. Source
Also see:
Scorpions in Nebraska – Krebs Creek
8 of the Edible Wild Berries Found in Nebraska – Krebs Creek
Are There Elk in Nebraska? – Krebs Creek
Wild Cats in Nebraska – Krebs Creek
Prairie Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name: | Crotalus viridis |
| Description: | Adult Prairie Rattlesnakes average 3.3 feet (100 cm) in length. They are tan-colored with varying colors of brown blotches covering their bodies. |
| Habitat: | Look for Prairie rattlesnakes in open prairies, grasslands, and forested areas. |
| Conservation Status: | Common within their Nebraska range. |
The prairie rattler has a stout body, triangular head, blunt nose, and narrow neck. As with all pit vipers, they have a heat-sensing pit between their nostril and their eye. Their fangs are hollow and hinged, allowing them to be folded back against the roof of their mouth.
Body length for adult prairie rattlesnakes ranges between 39 and 60 inches (99 to 152 cm). Their base color varies. They may be greenish-gray, greenish-brown, or light brown. A series of dark brown blotches with white edges run the length of their spines. Smaller, lighter blotches run along their sides. The blotches merge into rings at the tail. They have two white stripes on each side of the face. One extends between the eye and the nostril and along the upper lip. The other starts behind the eye and runs down the neck. Their belly is light yellow with no blotches. At the end of their tail are shell-like hollow scales which form the rattle.
Where Do Prairie Rattlesnakes Live in Nebraska?
Prairie Rattlesnakes are the most common venomous snake in Nebraska. Their range takes in the western half of the state. They prefer short and mixed grass prairies. They will be out on the open prairies. Also, look for them in areas with rocky outcrops where they can sun themselves.
Prairie rattlesnakes are common within their Nebraska range.
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.
During mating season, male prairie rattlers perform combat rituals. In these, they intertwine and attempt to knock each other to the ground. They do this to compete for the right to breed.
Female Prairie Rattlesnakes can give birth to anywhere from 4 to 25 young in late summer or early fall. The timing varies depending on environmental conditions and the availability of food. Their young are born with venom and can be harmful if they bite you.
What Do Prairie Rattlesnakes Eat?
The Prairie Rattlesnake has a wide variety of prey because of its extensive range. They prefer small mammals. These include ground squirrels, mice, rabbits, prairie dogs, and rats. They will also dine on ground-nesting birds, amphibians, reptiles, and other snakes.
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 intense 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
Timber Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name: | Crotalus horridus |
| Description: | Adult Timber Rattlesnakes grow between 36 and 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. Their bodies are yellowish-brown with a dark chevron pattern. They also have a rusty stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. |
| Habitat: | Timber Rattlesnakes prefer wooded areas and hillsides with rocky outcroppings. |
| Conservation Status: | State threatened species |
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 Rattlesnakes Live In Nebraska?
You will find the Timber Rattlesnake in the extreme southeastern corner of Nebraska. Their range includes Nemaha, Richardson, Pawnee, Gage, and Jefferson counties.
The Timber Rattlesnake lives in a variety of habitats. These include deciduous forests, coniferous forests, swamps, agricultural areas, and river flood plains.
Timber Rattlesnakes are a threatened species in Nebraska.
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 outcrops. 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
Dressing For Snake Country
- High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
- Also, wear loose-fitting denim to protect your lower legs. 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 heart rate or rapid pulse.
- Difficulty breathing
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 cell phone, picture the offending reptile. 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 emergency room 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.
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