Snakes Indigenous to Kansas

The indigenous snake species of Kansas are varied and numerous, ranging in size from a few inches to several feet. The state's many different natural habitat types make suitable homes for 38 different snake types, most of which are harmless. Several native species are venomous, however, and can pose a risk to humans.

  1. Small Indigenous Snakes

    • Many of the state's indigenous species are small and often grow to less than 2 feet. The smallest is the flat-headed snake, around 9 inches at most. This small species is slender, reddish brown in color and is only found in the eastern part of the state. Several species approach a foot in length including the rough earth, smooth earth, New Mexico blind, ground, plains black-headed, western worm and the red-bellied snakes. The ring-necked, night, lined and brown snakes all grow slightly larger, reaching almost 1 1/2 feet in length.

    Medium-Length Indigenous Snakes

    • The state is home to a dozen snake species that grow to a medium size in length, on average between 2 and 4 feet. The common garter is one such species. As its name suggests, it is found throughout the state in a variety of habitats and grows to almost 4 feet in length, as do the eastern glossy and northern water snakes. The plains garter, western ribbon, graham's crayfish and eastern hognosed snakes all grow around 3 1/2 feet in length. The remaining five medium-sized species range at around 3 feet and include the milk, rough green, long-nosed, western hog-nosed and checkered garter snakes.

    Large Indigenous Snakes

    • A large number of the state's indigenous snakes grow to imposing sizes, often over 4 feet in length. The largest native is the gopher snake, which exceeds 7 feet. It lives throughout the state and is light brown in color with dense, mottled darker markings. The second largest is the western rat snake, which often reaches over 6 feet, followed by the coachwhip at just under 6 feet, on average. The remaining large species range from 4 to 4 1/2 feet and include the eastern racer, prairie king, speckled king great plains rat, plain-bellied water and diamondback water snakes.

    Indigenous Deadly Snakes

    • Kansas has five indigenous venomous species that can be potentially deadly. Deaths from snake bite are rare in the state with only one documented case since 1950. The cottonmouth is one of the most dangerous and has a potent venom. It grows to around 3 feet in length, and has a distinct white coloring in its mouth. Just slightly shorter than its less potent relative, the copperhead is another native species found mostly in eastern Kansas. The largest native species is the timber rattlesnake, which grows to over 5 feet. The prairie rattlesnake is just a few inches shorter. The smallest venomous species is the massasauga rattlesnake, which grows to less than 3 feet.