There are four common poisonous snakes that you can find in the state of Illinois.
The most common venomous snake species in Illinois are:
- the cottonmouth snake
- copperheads
- massasauga
- timber rattlesnake
These snakes are usually located in forested areas around Illinois. The venomous snakes are known to use their venom to kill smaller prey that they usually consume. While the venom is less dangerous in one bite, it can be fatal when it is injected in several bites.
A majority of these snakes are nonaggressive. Here are some of the poisonous snakes that you are going to find in the state of Illinois.
Table of Contents
Copperhead
Copperhead snakes are some of the unique poisonous species that you are going to find in the state of Illinois. These snakes are very venomous and you should ensure that you stay far away from them when you are exploring different parts of the state.
Whenever they are feeling threatened, these snakes will often hiss and rattle before delivering the deadly venom. The venom delivered will vary depending on the species that you are going to find.
Read more: Dangerous animals is Illinois
In most cases, a smaller amount of venom usually characterizes the first bites. However, in successive bites, these snakes usually deliver a highly potent venom which would, in turn, result in the death of the victim.
Some of the common side effects of venom include swelling, shivering, extreme nausea, failure of vital organs, and death. These species are known to be very active during the summer days, and they are nocturnal.
Prairie Kingsnake
The prairie kingsnake is one of the common poisonous snakes that you are going to find in different parts of the state of Illinois. This snake is known to inhabit different areas, such as the woodlands and farmlands.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in Wisconsin
They consume a wide array of creatures ranging from toads, frogs, newts, and salamanders. Since they consume amphibians, they are likely to be dangerous because they can tolerate the venom from these creatures. When you encounter them, then they will deliver the bacteria and the venom if it bites you immediately.
Eastern Racer
The eastern racer is a venomous snake species that you are going to find in different habitats around the state of Illinois. These snakes are very dangerous in nature.
They are the most common poisonous snakes in Illinois. These snakes are known to grow up to 30 inches long. They consume a wide array of creatures ranging from toads, frogs, newts, tadpoles, and salamanders.
Eastern racers have a high number of bacteria which can result in fatal infection to your body. Hence, it is important to avoid them as best as you can.
Timber Rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnakes are some of the legendary venomous species that you can find in Illinois. This one is commonly called the banded rattlesnake or canebrake rattlesnake.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in Wisconsin
It is important to understand that these snakes have very long fangs and they usually deliver their venom through these fangs.
While many people tend to assume that the fang is used to scare off people, they can actually bite and deliver a highly dangerous venom that could result in the death of the victim. They usually like to inhabit the forested areas around the state.
Ringneck Snake
The ringneck snake is another common poisonous snake that you can find in Illinois. When you are exploring the different parts of the state, you should watch out for them.
The ringneck snake is more common in different parts of the United States and they are known to thrive both in the north and in the south of the state. These snakes come in different colors and mostly olive-green bodies with a bright yellow band that goes around their necks. This feature is what gives them the name.
The northern ring snakes usually prefer the forests in northern Illinois and this is where you are likely to encounter them during your trip to Illinois.
Cottonmouth Snake
The cottonmouth snakes are unique, poisonous snakes that you are going to find in different parts of the state of Illinois. It is important to understand that these creatures are very dangerous, and you should avoid them.
Some of the common names include viper, moccasin, and swamp moccasin. They are more venomous than the copperheads, which means that the venom administered can cause severe effects on the victim’s bodies.
The bites from this snake usually vary from one location to another and when you find these creatures in some of the driest parts of the state, they can be very dangerous. The cottonmouth usually prefers to hang out around water bodies in the state. Most of them come in black colors. They can grow up to 31 inches long.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in Missouri
These snakes usually consume a wide array of creatures ranging from birds, fish, and turtles. You should be careful when exploring different parts of the state not to encounter the cottonmouth snake.
Smooth Earth Snake
The smooth earth snake is a common poisonous snake that you can find in the state of Illinois. You must take your time to understand these species because they can be very dangerous in nature, especially because of the kinds of creatures that they usually consume.
Their diet highly influences the behavior of these snakes. They spend most of their time underground, therefore they will consume things like toads, frogs, newts, salamanders, and lizards.
These snakes usually grow up to 10 inches and they can run from people. However, you should not corner them because they are likely to attack.
Western Hognose Snake
The western hognose is one of the common poisonous snakes that you are going to find in different habitats around Illinois. The snake usually comes in different colors such as spreadhead snake, spoonbill snake, and prairie hognose snake.
The snake is endemic to North America, therefore, you are going to find most of them in different habitats around the state. The snake is confused with the dangerous species that are commonly rattlesnakes.
They also mimic these dangerous species when you encounter them in the wild. It is essential that you take your time to avoid them when you are exploring different areas of the state. They can grow up to 20 inches long and they have a medium size body.
While they do not like interaction with humans, you should avoid them because their saliva has an anticoagulant that when it bites results in failure of the blood to clot and this could result in excessive blood loss.
Kirtland’s Snake
The Kirtland’s snake, is known to inhabit a wide array of areas around the state. They usually like to inhabit the water bodies and if you are going to explore these areas, you will most likely encounter these snakes.
The snake is known to grow up to 18 inches long and they are identified by their grey, tan, and black bodies. Since they are tied to the water sources then you will likely find these snakes in different habitats.
They prefer swamps hence you will find them in these areas. They will pretend to be dead whenever they are facing danger.
However, if you corner them then they are likely to attack you. Their saliva is known to have an anticoagulant which would otherwise cause difficulty for the blood to clot. When this happens, it is going to be very dangerous to the victim and can result in fatalities.
Northern Scarlet Snake
The northern scarlet snake is a common species that you are going to find in different parts of Illinois. While we consider them a small species, it is critical to understand that these creatures are very dangerous because they can attack at any moment whenever they are feeling threatened or attacked.
They have a red body with gray bands hence the snake is tricolored. Many people tend to confuse them with the dangerous coral snake. These snakes usually consume a wide array of creatures when exploring the habitat around Illinois.
They like lizards, salamanders, toads, and frogs. It is critical to note that these species are very dangerous and you should watch out for them during your visit to Illinois.
Massasauga
The massasauga is another common species that you are going to find in different habitats around Illinois. The snake comes in different names such as the black massasauga snake, massasauga rattlesnake, and black snapper among others.
This is a very dangerous snake because they are venomous and they usually attack the victim and deliver the highly potent venom to their system. They usually use their venom to kill their prey.
Whenever the venom is delivered to the body of the victim then it is likely to cause failure of the blood to clot and in some cases, it could result in failure of some of the vital organs in the body.
These snakes usually have heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and eyes. They can grow up to 31 inches long depending on the habitat that you are going to find them in.
You must stay far away from the areas that are inhabited by this snake because they can be very dangerous in nature. They come in different colors with gray, brown, and tan being the most common colors.
