Introduction
Missouri is home to a diverse range of snake species, making it a fascinating region for reptile enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With 49 species and subspecies, snakes in Missouri can be found in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and even urban areas. While some people fear snakes, these reptiles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, helping maintain balance by controlling rodent and insect populations.
Snakes in Missouri are categorized into two main groups:
✅ Non-venomous snakes – The majority of Missouri’s snakes fall into this category and are harmless to humans. They play an important role in pest control by feeding on rodents, birds, and insects.
✅ Venomous snakes – Missouri has six venomous snake species, including the Eastern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake. While they can deliver dangerous bites, they usually avoid human interaction and only bite in self-defense.
Understanding how to identify and coexist with these snakes can help eliminate unnecessary fear and contribute to wildlife conservation efforts. This guide will explore Missouri’s non-venomous and venomous snakes, their habitats, behaviors, and safety tips for encountering them in the wild.
A Guide to Missouri’s Snakes
Snakes are an essential part of Missouri’s ecosystem, playing a significant role in maintaining biodiversity. They contribute to natural pest control, help balance prey populations, and serve as food for larger predators. Despite common fears, most snakes in Missouri are harmless and play a vital role in the environment.
Why Snakes Are Important to Missouri’s Ecosystem
Snakes provide several ecological benefits, including:
✅ Rodent Control – Many snake species feed on mice, rats, and other small mammals, reducing the risk of crop damage and disease spread.
✅ Balancing the Food Chain – Snakes regulate populations of amphibians, birds, and insects. In turn, they become prey for hawks, owls, foxes, and other predators.
✅ Healthier Ecosystems – By controlling pest species, snakes help maintain Missouri’s natural habitats, from forests to wetlands.
Where Are Snakes Found in Missouri?
Missouri’s diverse landscapes provide the perfect environment for different snake species. They can be found in:
🌲 Forests & Woodlands – Many species, such as the Western Ratsnake, prefer wooded areas with plenty of cover.
🌾 Grasslands & Prairies – Snakes like the Bullsnake thrive in open fields and prairies where they can hunt rodents.
🌊 Wetlands & Swamps – Water-loving species, including Northern Cottonmouths and Watersnakes, reside near lakes, rivers, and marshes.
🪨 Rocky Hills & Caves – Some snakes, such as the Timber Rattlesnake, seek refuge in rocky terrains and caves.
How Many Snake Species Live in Missouri?
Missouri is home to 49 species and subspecies of snakes. Among them:
🐍 43 species are non-venomous, meaning they pose no harm to humans.
🐍 6 species are venomous, including Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Rattlesnakes.
Understanding these snake species and their habitats helps promote conservation efforts while reducing unnecessary fear. By learning how to identify and coexist with Missouri’s snakes, people can appreciate their ecological importance.
Get to Know Missouri’s Snakes
Missouri is home to a wide variety of snakes, both non-venomous and venomous. Understanding the differences between these two categories, along with their roles in the ecosystem, can help reduce fear and promote conservation.
Non-Venomous vs. Venomous Snakes: Key Differences
While most snakes in Missouri are non-venomous, there are six venomous species in the state. Knowing how to distinguish between the two is essential for safety and conservation.
✅ Non-Venomous Snakes (Harmless to Humans)
Characteristics:
✔ Round pupils
✔ No heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils
✔ Small head that blends with the body shape
✔ No fangs – only small, curved teeth
✔ Double row of scales on the underside of the tail
Behavior:
🐍 Non-venomous snakes usually flee rather than fight when approached.
🐍 Some species, like the Eastern Hognose Snake, may flatten their bodies or pretend to be dead as a defense mechanism.
Examples of Non-Venomous Snakes in Missouri:
- Western Ratsnake (excellent climber, often found in trees)
- Prairie Kingsnake (feeds on rodents and even other snakes)
- Northern Watersnake (often mistaken for a Cottonmouth but harmless)
⚠️ Venomous Snakes (Dangerous if Provoked)
Characteristics:
❌ Elliptical (slit-like) pupils
❌ Heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils
❌ Broad, triangular head (wider than the neck)
❌ Hollow fangs used to inject venom
❌ Single row of scales on the underside of the tail
Behavior:
⚠️ Venomous snakes usually stay still or retreat when encountering humans.
⚠️ Some, like Copperheads, rely on camouflage and will not move unless disturbed.
⚠️ Rattlesnakes shake their tails as a warning before striking.
Examples of Venomous Snakes in Missouri:
- Eastern Copperhead (Missouri’s most common venomous snake)
- Northern Cottonmouth (also known as the “water moccasin”)
- Timber Rattlesnake (found in forests and rocky hillsides)
How Snakes Help Humans: Nature’s Pest Controllers
Snakes are often misunderstood, but they play a vital role in Missouri’s ecosystem.
✅ Rodent Control – Many species, such as Ratsnakes and Kingsnakes, help keep mice and rat populations in check, reducing crop damage and disease spread.
✅ Insect Reduction – Some smaller snakes, like the Smooth Greensnake, feed on grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars, naturally controlling insect populations.
✅ Ecosystem Balance – By being both predators and prey, snakes help maintain a healthy food chain.
📌 Fun Fact: Some snakes, like the Speckled Kingsnake, eat other snakes—including venomous ones like Copperheads!
How to Identify Missouri’s Snakes
Identifying a snake is easier than you think! Here are some common features to look for:
1️⃣ Head Shape
✔ Narrow & oval? → Non-venomous
❌ Broad & triangular? → Venomous
2️⃣ Pupil Shape
✔ Round pupils? → Non-venomous
❌ Slit-like pupils? → Venomous
3️⃣ Body Patterns & Colors
🐍 Solid-colored snakes (e.g., Western Ratsnake) are often non-venomous.
🐍 Snakes with blotches or bands (e.g., Copperheads) can be venomous—but some harmless species mimic them!
4️⃣ Tail & Movement
✔ Vibrating tail but no rattle? → Likely non-venomous (e.g., Ratsnakes mimic Rattlesnakes).
❌ Rattling sound? → Likely venomous (Rattlesnake species).
By learning these identification tips, you can better understand Missouri’s snakes and differentiate between harmless and dangerous species in the wild.
Non-Venomous Species Accounts
Western Wormsnake (Carphophis vermis)
About
The Western Wormsnake is a small, secretive, and burrowing snake commonly found in wooded hillsides and moist soil environments in Missouri. This non-venomous species spends most of its time hidden beneath rocks, logs, or underground, making it rarely seen by humans. It is harmless and plays a vital role in controlling insect populations. Due to its slender body and burrowing nature, it is often mistaken for earthworms, which also makes it difficult to spot in the wild.
Description
The Western Wormsnake has a smooth, glossy body with a dark purplish-brown to black back and a distinct pink or salmon-colored underside. Its head is small, and its tail is short with a slightly pointed tip, aiding its ability to burrow into the soil. Unlike larger snakes, it lacks distinct markings or patterns, making its solid coloration a key identifying feature.
Length
📏 7 to 11 inches (18–28 cm)
Diet
🍽️ The Western Wormsnake primarily feeds on earthworms, insect larvae, and soft-bodied insects. It uses its small but effective teeth to capture and consume prey found in moist soil.
Missouri Distribution
📍 The Western Wormsnake is found statewide in Missouri, except for extreme southeastern regions and a few counties in the north-central part of the state. It thrives in forested hills, moist soil areas, and under leaf litter, where it remains well-hidden from predators.
Northern Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea copei)
About
The Northern Scarletsnake is one of Missouri’s most strikingly colored snakes, but it is extremely rare and seldom seen due to its secretive, burrowing nature. This non-venomous species spends most of its life underground, surfacing mainly at night or after heavy rains. It is commonly mistaken for the Eastern Milksnake due to its red and white pattern. Despite its bright colors, it is completely harmless to humans and plays an important role in controlling small rodent and reptile populations.
Description
The Northern Scarletsnake features a brilliant red or crimson pattern of blotches along its back, separated by white or pale gray bands. Its snout is red or orange, distinguishing it from similar species. The belly is completely white and unmarked, setting it apart from the Eastern Milksnake, which has a checkered belly. Its body is smooth-scaled, allowing it to move easily underground.
Length
📏 14 to 20 inches (36–51 cm)
Diet
🍽️ The Northern Scarletsnake primarily feeds on small reptile eggs, lizards, rodents, and occasionally small snakes. Its sharp teeth and powerful constricting ability allow it to subdue prey efficiently.
Missouri Distribution
📍 The Northern Scarletsnake is extremely rare in Missouri, with scattered populations in south-central and southern parts of the state. It prefers sandy or loose soil environments, often near pine forests, grasslands, or farmland, where it can burrow easily.
Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)
About
The Kirtland’s Snake is a small, secretive, and rare species found in only a few locations within Missouri. This non-venomous snake primarily inhabits wet grasslands, marshes, and areas near rivers or creeks, where it often takes shelter in crayfish burrows. Due to habitat destruction and the draining of wetlands, its population has significantly declined, making it one of the rarest snakes in Missouri. It is harmless to humans and plays an important role in controlling slug and insect populations.
Description
The Kirtland’s Snake has a reddish-brown to grayish body with two rows of dark blotches running down each side. Its belly is bright red or pink with a row of black spots along each side, making it easy to identify. This snake has a small, slightly upturned head, which helps it burrow into soft soil.
Length
📏 14 to 18 inches (36–46 cm)
Diet
🍽️ The Kirtland’s Snake primarily feeds on earthworms, slugs, and small aquatic creatures, such as crayfish and minnows. Its preference for moist habitats aligns with the availability of these food sources.
Missouri Distribution
📍 The Kirtland’s Snake is extremely rare in Missouri and is found in only a few counties along the Mississippi River in the northeast corner of the state. It prefers wet grasslands, marsh edges, and riverbanks, where it can burrow into moist soil for shelter.
Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris)
About
The Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer is a fast-moving, agile, and diurnal snake commonly found in open fields, grasslands, and woodland edges across Missouri. As the name suggests, this snake is extremely quick and relies on its speed to escape predators rather than hiding or attacking. It is non-venomous and harmless to humans, although it may vibrate its tail and bite defensively when threatened. This species plays an important role in controlling rodent and insect populations, making it beneficial to the ecosystem.
Description
The Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer has a smooth, shiny body that varies in color from olive green, gray, or brown to nearly black. Its underside is yellow, cream, or light blue-gray, which contrasts with the darker upper body. Juveniles look very different from adults, featuring brown blotches and spots that fade as they mature. Unlike other snakes, racers have large eyes that provide excellent vision, helping them detect prey and threats from a distance.
Length
📏 30 to 50 inches (76–127 cm)
Diet
🍽️ The Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer is an active predator that feeds on a variety of prey, including frogs, lizards, snakes, rodents, birds, and large insects. It actively hunts during the day, using its speed and agility to chase down its meals.
Missouri Distribution
📍 The Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer is found statewide in Missouri but is replaced by the Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) in southeastern parts of the state. It prefers open habitats, such as grasslands, prairies, farmlands, and woodland edges, where it has space to move quickly.