44 Snakes Present in Oklahoma (With Footage)

The Sooner State is not any stranger to snakes. There are all kinds of venomous and non-venomous snakes inside the state, together with 5 completely different species of rattlesnake.

We’ve compiled an inventory under to make you extra accustomed to the snake species that decision Oklahoma their house. We’ll contact base on lifespan, dimension, most popular prey, and far more.

44 Snakes Present in Oklahoma

---

Venomous Species

1. Copperhead

Present in woodland and rocky areas close to our bodies of freshwater, the venomous Copperhead has a sample and coloration that enables them to mix nicely in its leafy habitat.

---

2. Northern Cottonmouth

The venomous cottonmouth, also referred to as the water moccasin, is thought for opening their mouths in a defensive posture and displaying the white cotton-like coloration inside.

---

3. Timber Rattlesnake

This hanging species of rattlesnake can be known as a “velvet tail” due to the black velvety coloration on the tail. This species is usually present in southeastern Oklahoma.

---

4. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

That is the most important of the western United States’ rattlesnakes. This species is recognized by the darkish diamonds on its again which can be outlined by white coloration.

---

5. Western Massaugua Rattlesnake

Massasauga means “nice river mouth” within the Chippewa language. This smaller rattler frequents the grasslands, prairies, rocky hillsides, and swampy marshlands.

---

6. Western Pygmy Rattlesnake

That is the smallest of Oklahoma’s rattlesnakes, they’re additionally known as the “floor rattler” by some Oklahomans.

---

7. Prairie Rattlesnake

This small, venomous rattlesnake is known as after its locality, the prairie. This species will solely be discovered within the Oklahoma panhandle and the very far western portion of the state.

Non-Venomous Species

8. Broad-Banded Watersnake

This snake is commonly noticed basking within the morning solar after an evening filled with looking for frogs. They’re solely discovered within the furthest southeastern tip of Oklahoma close to our bodies of water.

---

9. Bullsnake

The bullsnake is present in all areas of Oklahoma apart from the southeastern portion of the state. It likes the prairies, pine-oak woodlands, fields, and open brushland.

---

10. Coachwhip

One of many longest and quickest snakes in Oklahoma, there are two subspecies within the state: The Jap Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum flagellum) and the Western Coachwhip (Masticohis flagellum testaceus). They’re lively through the warmth of the day and situated everywhere in the state.

---

11. Frequent Gartersnake

Often known as the “grass snake,” this species has a thick yellow to orangish-red dorsal stripe that runs down the middle of the again from head to tail.

---

12. DeKay’s Brownsnake

This species is known as after James Ellsworth De Kay, a New York naturalist. They are often present in woodlands, marshes, and concrete dwellings.

---

13. Diamond-backed Watersnake

This snake’s habitat consists of ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetland areas. As with most water snakes, they are often confused with the venomous cottonmouth. These snakes are non-venomous however will emit a foul-smelling musk when intimidated.

---

14. Jap Hog-nosed Snake

Dispersed by most of Oklahoma, apart from the far west portion of the panhandle, the Jap Hognose is thought for its dramatic. When threatened they’ll bluff by spreading out its neck and hissing. If the risk goes undeterred, it’ll play useless. They’ve upturned, pointy snouts.

---

15. Flat-headed Snake

Much like the black-headed snake, this species dwells in rocky prairies and wooded hillsides all through jap and central Oklahoma.

---

16. Graham’s Crayfish Snake

Named after their most beloved prey, the crayfish. this snake is lively through the day. Their present in crayfish territory close to ponds, creeks, and streams and can sometimes feast on frogs and snails.

---

17. Nice Plains Ratsnake

This nocturnal snake is a superb climber. It’s distributed all through your complete state of Oklahoma and is commonly present in bushes, trying to find its prey.

---

18. Kansas Shiny Snake

Discovered within the sandy, open areas in western Oklahoma, together with the panhandle, this snake has shiny clean scales and can vibrate its tail when threatened.

---

19. Lined Snake

​Lined snakes are nocturnal and might typically be discovered in additional city settings. They’re usually discovered beneath particles or piles of trash. They are going to emit musk when captured however hardly ever ever chunk.

---

20. Lengthy-nosed Snake

Positioned within the dry prairies of western Oklahoma, this snake is a nocturnal burrower. Its protection is to cover its head in its coils, vibrate its tail, and discharge a fluid made up of blood, musk, and fecal matter.

---

21. Marcy’s Checkered Gartersnake

With a distinguished black checkered sample, this species is lively through the day and is discovered close to water sources of the dry grasslands of western Oklahoma.

---

22. Northern Crimson-bellied Snake

Because the title suggests, this tiny snake has a red-colored stomach and is discovered within the woodlands of Oklahoma.

---

23. Northern Watersnake

This species is situated in jap Oklahoma and dwells close to our bodies of water. They’ll emit a foul-smelling musk when threatened. They are often aggressive in case you are perceived as a risk. It’s simple to mistake this species for the venomous cottonmouth however should not harmful.

---

24. Orange-striped Ribbonsnake

This species is intently associated to the garter snakes and resides close to water. It has a black physique with three orange stripes that run the size of the physique, with the mid-dorsal stripe being probably the most vibrant.

---

25. Plain-bellied Watersnake

This innocent snake is sometimes confused with the venomous cottonmouth. They’re seen basking on logs and rocks close to the water. They’ll emit a foul-smelling musk and might get aggressive when threatened. They make their houses close to our bodies of contemporary water.

---

26. Plains Black-headed Snake

This species is known as for its blackhead. The remainder of the physique is both brown or grey. They’re typically present in rocky or grassy prairies, and infrequently hillsides inside the moist soil.

---

27. Plains Gartersnake

​The garter snake is probably the most extensively distributed snake throughout the continent and is discovered throughout Oklahoma. They’re innocent and simply recognized by the thick dorsal stripe that runs down the middle of the again from head to tail.

---

28. Plains Hog-nosed Snake

This snake is known as for its signature pointed, upturned snout. Hog-nosed snakes are rear-fanged. Their saliva has been discovered to have some poisonous properties that solely have an effect on their prey. They’re no hazard to people.

---

29. Prairie Kingsnake

The prairie kingsnake spends the day underneath rocks, brush, or inside burrows.  Kingsnakes eat different snakes and are unhurt by the chunk of any of the native venomous snakes right here in Oklahoma.

---

30. Racer

This can be a innocent, extensively distributed snake in Oklahoma. They could vibrate their tail when disturbed or threatened. Racers don’t again down when cornered, they have a tendency to have a extra aggressive nature when defending themselves. There are two subspecies of Racer present in Oklahoma. The Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus.) The adults are black with both blue to cream-colored bellies. Then there may be the Jap Yellow-Bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris).

---

31. Ring-necked snake

The ring-necked snake is situated throughout Oklahoma. When disturbed, it’ll coil its tail and flip over to show its shiny pink coloration on the underside.

---

32. Tough Earthsnake

​This secretive snake is usually discovered underneath the quilt of logs, rocks, and different particles and is situated everywhere in the jap portion of Oklahoma.

---

33. Tough Greensnake

​This snake’s vibrant inexperienced coloration offers camouflage among the many shrubs, vines, bushes, and bushes in its habitat. They’re glorious climbers and swimmers.

---

34. Scarletsnake

​This can be a extra secretive species. This snake is nocturnal and spends most of its time underground or underneath rocks and rotting logs.

---

35. Speckled Kingsnake

This snake is commonly known as “salt and pepper snake” as a consequence of its coloration. It’s unaffected by the venomous bites of native venomous snakes and infrequently eats them.

---

36. Texas Nightsnake

This snake is rear-fanged and makes use of mildly poisonous saliva to subdue its prey. It poses no risk to people. It’s a nocturnal species which can be hardly ever seen through the day. It spends that point hidden away underneath rocks and logs.

---

37. Threadsnake

Discovered on stony hillsides and the prairie of Oklahoma, the thread snake is a burrowing snake that’s present in damp soil underneath logs and rocks.

---

38. Variable Groundsnake

---

39. Western Black-necked garter snake

The western black neck gartnersnake is definitely a water snake that lives close to rivers, swims, and usually eats small fish and tadpoles.

---

40. Western Milksnake

Open prairies, woodlands, and farmland are the place the western milksnake resides. This species mates within the spring and lays 2 to twenty eggs at a time.

---

41. Western Mudsnake

Native to Oklahoma’s floodplains and swampy areas, this snake is nocturnal and is usually seen crossing roads in swampy areas on wet nights.

---

42. Western Clean Earthsnake

Positioned in damp woodlands, wooded city areas, and rocky, wooded hillsides you’ll typically see this species floor after heavy rains.

---

43. Western Ratsnake

Generally identified in Oklahoma because the black ratsnake, this species is discovered within the wooded forests canyons, open fields, and farmlands of the state.

---

44. Western Wormsnake

Present in probably the most woodland and grassy hillsides close to streams, this snake is small and spherical with a purplish pink prime and a pink stomach.

Conclusion

Oklahoma could be a snake-lovers paradise, because it has no scarcity of selection. It isn’t really useful to take a wild snake from its habitat and make it right into a pet. A few of these species could make nice pets however it would be best to find a breeder that may give you a captive-bred animal.

You’ll be able to personal the venomous snakes in Oklahoma when you get hold of a allow. It isn’t really useful to personal these snakes until you’re a very skilled handler. Venomous snakes are probably lethal to people and needs to be met with excessive warning.

Be taught in regards to the snakes in numerous areas with one in every of these associated posts:

---

Featured Picture Credit score: _Jean Beaufort, Public Area Footage