Snakes in Northwest Missouri

Missouri, with its range of varied natural habitats, is home to 46 different species of snakes which can be found either statewide or just in just small areas. The northwestern corner of the state alone is home to 23 snake species of various sizes. Three of this region's snake species are venomous and considered dangerous to humans.

  1. Large Snakes

    • The northwest region of the state is home to seven large snake species. The two largest species are the black rat snake and the bull snake, both of which grow to almost 6 feet in length. The western fox snake is the next longest species, growing to over 4 feet with the eastern yellow-bellied racer being just a few inches shorter. The speckled king snake and diamondback water snake both grow to 4 feet in length. A subspecies of the yellow-bellied water snake, the blotched water snake, is also native to the region and grows to 4 feet in length.

    Medium-sized Snakes

    • The northwest region of the state is home to eight medium-sized snake species that range between 2 and 4 feet in length. The two largest of these species are the northern water snake and prairie king snake which grow to just under 4 feet in length. The smallest species is the plains hognose which measures just over 2 feet in length. The other five native species are the red milk snake, Grahams crayfish snake, plains garter snake, eastern hognose snake and the western ribbon snake.

    Small Snakes

    • The northwest region of Missouri is home to five snake species that do not grow much longer than a foot in length. The smallest of these is the northern red-bellied snake which grows to around 10 inches. The midland brown grows to around a foot in length as does the western worm snake. Both the prairie ring-necked snake and the lined snake grow to around 14 to 15 inches in length.

    Venomous Snakes

    • Only three of the area's native snake species are venomous. The Osage copperhead is the state's most common venomous snake. It grows to between 24 and 36 inches in length. The timber rattlesnake is found throughout the state and is Missouri's largest venomous species. It grows to between 36 and 60 inches in length. The eastern massasauga is a small rattlesnake species found in small populations in northwest Missouri. It grows to between 18 and 30 inches in length. All three species produce dangerous venom, and bites received should be treated medically.