Varieties of Snakes in Missouri

Missouri has large areas of varied natural habitats which make superb homes for a variety of species, including 38 different species of snake. The various native species of snake in the state range in size from a few inches to several feet. Most of Missouri's snakes are harmless to humans, but five species are venomous and considered dangerous.

  1. Large Snakes

    • Missouri is home to six large species of snake that regularly grow to over 4 feet in length. The two largest are the bull snake and black rat snake, both of which reach average lengths of almost 6 feet. The eastern coach whip is the next largest native species and grows to just under 5 feet in length. The eastern yellow-bellied, western fox and western mud snakes all grow to just over 4 feet in length, on average.

    Medium-Sized Snakes

    • Most of the state's snake species are of medium length, with 16 different types growing to between 2 and 4 feet in length. The prairie king, speckled king, Mississippi green water, yellow-bellied water, diamondback water and northern water snakes all average lengths of just under 4 feet. The western ribbon, great plains rat, eastern hog-nosed and the rough green snakes grow to around 3 feet in length. The remaining native species grow to a little over 2 feet in length and include the plains garter, eastern garter, red milk, broad-banded water, plains hog-nosed and Graham's crayfish snakes.

    Small Snakes

    • Small snake species are also common in the state, with the smallest being the flat-headed snake, which grows to around 8 inches long. The northern red-bellied, western worm, rough earth and western earth snakes rarely grow to over 1 foot in length. The lined snake, prairie ring-necked, ground and midland brown snakes all grow to a general length of just over a foot. The smooth green snake and the northern scarlet snake both grow to be just under 2 feet long.

    Venomous Snakes

    • Missouri is home to five potentially deadly snake species, the largest of which is the timber rattlesnake, which grows to almost 5 feet in length. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake and western pygmy rattlesnake are both native species that grow to just over 2 feet. The Osage copperhead grows to 3 feet long. The last species is one of the more dangerous, the western cottonmouth, which grows to around 4 feet and has a highly potent venom.