Non-venomous Snakes in Mississippi

Many of the different varieties of Mississippi snakes are similar to other types of snakes and may just have different coloring or prefer to live in a different habitat. That’s one of the reasons why it’s important to know how to identify the many different types of snakes in Mississippi. Since a whopping six types of snakes in Mississippi are venomous it’s a good idea to practice caution anytime you see a snake in Mississippi until you are sure what type of snake it is. Some of the most common non-venomous snakes in Mississippi are:

Midwest Worm Snake

Midwest worm snakes are so small that you might not even notice them at first. They rarely grow to be more than a foot long and most of them are only about six inches long. These snakes typically are a dull gray with a pink or reddish belly. They tend to stay in the wooded areas near streams and lakes but they also sometimes live in the rocky areas bordering grasslands. These small snakes are harmless to humans. They dig under the dirt to find earthworms and other prey and they like to stay hidden. If you do happen to see one it will likely move along as quickly as possible.

Northern Scarlet Snake

The northern scarlet snake is easy to identify thanks to the very wide bands of red scales on its back. Each wide red band is bordered on either side by narrow bands of black with yellow. The northern scarlet snake has a pink or light red belly but you will probably not get a chance to see the belly of this snake. These snakes prefer to burrow into soft sandy soil but they can also be found in trash piles, under rocks, under dirt piles, under mulch, and in other areas where they can hide. Because this snake likes sandy soil you may find them in your garden or near your garage in a suburban area but don’t worry, they’re not venomous.

Black Kingsnake

If you see a black kingsnake don’t be afraid of it, these snakes only look scary. Their dark black scales and wide body make this snake intimidating but black kingsnakes can actually be very beneficial to have around. In addition to eating vermin and rodents, they are not affected by the venom of rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes. They often prey on venomous snakes which can help protect you from venomous snakes. Black kingsnakes are often only about five feet long but they have a wide heavyset body because they kill prey by constricting.

Gulf Salt Marsh Snake

As you may have guessed from the name this snake is primarily found near the Gulf waters and in other salt marsh or swampy areas. It also sometimes lives on barrier islands. These unique snakes generally are only a foot to a foot and a half long but they have a very distinctive gray base color with a distinctive pattern of four black stripes. Gulf salt marsh snakes are non-threatening and will ignore people most of the time. However, if you try to handle one it may strike out or bite you.

Delta Glossy Swamp Snake (Crayfish Snake)

The delta glossy swamp snake is also sometimes called the crayfish snake since it primarily eats crayfish. This snake has a dull mud-colored base color so that it blends into the swampy marshlands where it prefers to live. The Delta Glossy Swamp snake can be found throughout the Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida region where it lives in the low-lying swamps that are scattered throughout the states. They are very small and tend to be about a foot long, although they can grow up to about 16 inches long.

Corn Snake

The corn snake is native to the southeastern region of the US, and often resides in large fields, tall trees, forest openings, and abandoned or empty buildings. The corn snake is thought to have gotten its name either from its bright orange and red patterns that resemble corn, or from the fact that it is often found near grain stores. Corn snakes are similar to rat snakes in that they keep the vermin population in check, while also feeding on bird eggs, amphibians, and other reptiles. They are harmless to humans, and corn snakes are often kept as exotic pets because they are easy to handle and come in an array of interesting skin patterns. An adult can range in size from 4-6 feet long and a diameter of an inch.

Venomous Snakes In Mississippi

Mississippi has a high number of venomous snakes, six different kinds in total. Venomous snakes in Mississippi that you should watch out for are:

Southern Copperhead

The Southern Copperhead likes to hide near the base of trees, in piles of brush, or next to large rocks. The unique color patterns this snake has been designed to help it stay hidden so you may not see the Southern Copperhead until you are very close to it. These snakes are highly venomous. They would rather flee than fight but if you surprise it or are too close it might feel threatened and strike. If you come across one of these snakes hold very still and don’t make any sudden movements. Instead, move very slowly and back up until you are out of the snake’s strike range. Most of the time as soon as you give it a little space they will slither away. Southern Coppherheads are found throughout Mississippi aside from small portions of the Gulf Coast.

Cottonmouth Snakes (Western and Northern)

These snakes have different colorations but belong to the same family and both are venomous. They are mostly aquatic and are usually found in salt marshes, swamps, and other low-lying wet environments. While cottonmouths in most of the state have dark brown waves, cottonmouths from the Gulf Coast can be more dark brown. Cottonmouths have black bars or scales under their mouths but their mouths are white. These snakes have potent venom and can be deadly, so be extremely cautious if you see any snakes that could be Cottonmouths when you are out and about in Mississippi. If startled, cottonmouths will show their white mouth, which often can give time to leave the area of the snake before it resorts to striking.

Eastern Coral Snake

The eastern coral snake is known for the very vivid stripes that cover its body and for the potency of the venom that it has. These snakes are on the small side, but they’re just as venomous as larger snakes like rattlesnakes. It’s unfortunately easy to mix up a coral snake with a kingsnake because the kingsnake has similar vivid colored stripes. But eastern coral snakes usually don’t have the black borders on the stripes that kingsnakes have. The eastern coral snake prefers to live in sandy soil and in Mississippi, it can be found on sandy ridges and in sandy creek bottoms. The colors of this snake make it tough to miss so if you see it give it a wide berth and try to avoid crossing its path. If you’re in the northern end of Mississippi you won’t find these snakes, they tend to keep to the bottom 1/3 of Mississippi’s area.

Pygmy Rattlesnake (Western and Dusky)

The western pygmy rattlesnake typically has a gray body with blotches of color like black or yellow. Like other rattlesnakes, it has a heavy and wide body. But unlike other rattlesnakes, the western pygmy is usually under two feet long and can be just a foot long. Generally, these rattlesnakes avoid people and aren’t aggressive. But any snake can become aggressive if it feels threatened so it’s best to avoid any snake that is rattling or is raising its head and puffing up. These snakes are generally not found near the Mississippi River, but they’ve been found across every other region in the state.

Timber Rattlesnake

Timber rattlesnakes are 2 to 3 times the size of pygmy rattlesnakes. They can be found across the majority of Mississippi but are not commonly found along the Gulf Coast. Their populations are not quite as numerous as they once were, and these snakes aren’t as aggressive as other venomous snakes in Mississippi. In general, if you avoid timber rattlesnakes they pose little harm.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The eastern diamondback isn’t just the largest venomous snake in Mississippi, it’s the largest rattlesnake in all of North America! The snakes are found from Louisiana to North Carolina, but are rarely more than 100 miles from any coastlines. In Mississippi, thhe snakes range up to towns like Brookhaven or Laurel, but not much further north. These snakes blend in well with their environment, but will generally make their presence known before striking. Like the timber rattlesnake, they’re increasingly a rare site due to habitat loss and hunting.

The Complete List of Snakes In Mississippi

There are a lot of snakes in Mississippi so you probably won’t be able to learn to identify them all. But, in general, you should focus on learning how to spot the venomous snakes in Mississippi. That way you can keep yourself safe. However, if you’re in doubt about that type of snake you see when you’re out and come across a snake just stop, move slowly, and back up until you’re out of the snake’s range. A full list of snakes in Mississippi:

Southern CopperheadWestern CottonmouthNorthern CottonmouthEastern Diamondback RattlesnakeTimber RattlesnakeEastern Coral SnakeDusky Pygmy RattlesnakeWestern Pygmy RattlesnakeMidwest Worm SnakeNorthern Scarlet SnakeBlack-masked RacerSouthern Black RacerMississippi Ring-necked SnakeEastern Indigo SnakeWestern Mud SnakeCommon Rainbow SnakeRough Earth SnakeEastern Hognose SnakeSouthern Hognose SnakePrairie KingsnakeMole KingsnakePeninsula KingsnakeSpeckled KingsnakeBlack KingsnakeDelta Glossy Swamp SnakeGulf Glossy Swamp SnakeEastern Coachwhip SnakeGulf Saltmarsh SnakeMississippi Green Water SnakeYellow-bellied Water SnakeBroad Banded Water SnakeBanded Water SnakeDiamond-backed Water SnakeMidland Water SnakeRough Green SnakeCorn SnakeBlack Rat SnakeGray Rat SnakeBlack Pine SnakeGraham’s Crayfish SnakeQueen SnakePine Woods SnakeMidland Brown SnakeFlorida Red-bellied SnakeNorthern Red-bellied SnakeSoutheastern Crowned SnakeWestern Ribbon SnakeEastern Ribbon SnakeEastern Garter SnakeWestern Smooth Earth SnakeEastern Smooth Earth Snake

Please note that you might see lists with different numbers of snakes that live in Mississippi, that’s partially because many snakes have regional subspecies or some species may live along the borders of Mississippi and are only occasional visitors. Regardless of the exact number of snakes in Mississippi just remember the venomous species because they deserve extra care to avoid!

Summary of Snakes in Mississippi

Below is a summary of 12 of the Mississippi snakes highlighted in this article:

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