Houston, Texas, is nicknamed the Bayou City because it has become a center for industrial activities, energy production, transportation, aeronautics, manufacturing, culture, research, and medicine. The population in the region is unique as well and you will find some of the most ethnically diverse people in Texas here. Houston was constructed on marshes, swamps, and forested areas and the area has flat terrain – hence, a lot of snakes call this place home.
There are four major bayous in the area which pass through the city. A majority of the land in Texas is mostly made up of different ecosystems. The prairies drain into the city and the geology of the city has played a significant role in the kinds of fauna and flora that you are going to find in the region, including snakes.
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Types of Snakes in Houston
There are numerous snake species to find in Houston. The unique climatic conditions and the terrain in the region mean that there is a wide array of species that have made this place their home. Before we delve deeper, you should also learn more about the dangerous animals in Texas.
Here are some of the common snakes in Houston.
Eastern Copperhead
The eastern copperhead snake is one of the most venomous species in Houston. They are usually found in woodland areas, prairies, grasslands, and the marshy parts of the city. This species is mostly found in the greater Houston area.
They usually like the areas where there are many fallen leaves, trees, and the rocky formations. These are all the features of Houston and they are mostly found in different parts of the city. The snakes are known to have a tank with a pink base and they have up to 13 crossbands as well.
This is a pit viper snake and it is one of the most venomous species in Texas. When they bite, they usually release the venom and when it is injected into the system it is known to cause a wide array of side effects on the body.
Some of the most common side effects include blurred vision, swelling, rapid heart rate, and failure of the central nervous system. This is dangerous especially to people who are immunocompromised because it can result in fatalities as the case might be very severe.
Rough Earth Snake
The rough earth snake is a common phenomenon in different areas of Houston. It is critical that you watch out for these snakes because they can turn out to be the most dangerous species here. They have a slender body and they can grow up to 9 inches. It is a very short snake that you should be careful of.
They usually come in different colors such as brown, dark brown, and tan-grey. These snakes usually spend most of their time on the ground and under the leaves or vegetation. The bands usually darken as they age.
Watch out for them because they are known to bite and deliver potent venom to the system.
Texas Coral Snake
Just as the name indicates, this is a coral snake. You should always strive to avoid them because they are a very dangerous species. They have wide bands on their bodies and they feed on a wide array of creatures ranging from toads, frogs, lizards, and salamanders.
While they might not be aggressive, you should stay far away from them because they can bite and deliver a high amount of potent venom to your system, causing instant paralysis. The adult coral snakes can grow up to 30 inches long.
Northern Cottonmouth
The northern cottonmouth snake is a popular species across Houston because it is known to be a semiaquatic species. They are dark in color with a highly potent venom. It is important that you avoid these snakes because they can have incredibly lethal bites that when it is left untreated could result in fatalities.
These snakes are common in the state of Texas and Houston because of the marshlands and wetlands around the state. The northern cottonmouth usually comes in different colors ranging from olive brown, brown, and black. You will find that some of them have crossbands that can be visible while others are invisible.
These snakes have vertical pupils and they can grow up to 4 feet long. You must stay far away from them because they are lethal snakes and do not need to be provoked for them to attack.
Diamondback Water Snake
The diamondback water snake is a common species that you are going to find in different parts of the state and it is mostly found in the Houston metropolitan area and the coastal plains. They are often very dangerous because they carry a very potent venom that when it is injected into a biological system it can cause paralysis of the system.
They can eat a wide array of creatures that you will find in the region ranging from lizards, birds, toads, and frogs. It is the most dangerous pit viper that you are going to find in Houston.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
The western diamond-backed rattlesnake is a unique species that you are going to find in different parts of the city of Houston. They are known to be very dangerous snakes because they are venomous.
These snakes inhabit the southern and southwest parts of the city of Houston. They are famously aggressive and when they inject the venom, it causes failure of the central nervous system as well as the blood and this will eventually lead to death.
It is imperative to note that these snakes are very dangerous and you should always try to avoid them by all means because they can cause fatalities. They usually have a widespread distribution across the state and city.
Banded Water Snake
The banded water snake is another more common species that you are going to find in Houston. You must stay away from these snakes because they are very dangerous and they can attack even when they are not provoked. They come in different colors and they often become darker as they age.
The snakes are from medium size to large and most of them grow up to 48 inches long. The species usually come in different colors. Some of the most common colors that you will find these species coming with include black, brown, and red. They are known also to have large crossbands on their bodies.
However, if you are bitten by this snake then you should seek immediate medical attention. They are mostly found on the rocks along the water bodies among other areas.
Timber Rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnake is some of the species that you are going to find thriving in different habitats across the city of Houston. These snakes come in a different color that ranges from brown, yellow, and tan. The dark bands across the body play a critical role in the development of some of this species. They can grow up to 70 inches long and they are highly venomous species.
They have a good impact on the ecosystem but you should avoid them at all costs because they can turn out to be very dangerous. The snakes have a highly potent venom that is known to affect the central nervous system of the prey.
These snakes usually eat a wide array of species such as salamanders, frogs, toads, and newts. You will also find them eating squirrels. Since they have a poor thermoregulation process, they will spend most of their time hiding under rocks and similar cooler places.
Western Ribbon Snake
The western ribbon snake is another species that is far more common in the state of Texas and mostly in the Houston area. The most common area where you are likely to find these species is in eastern Houston and they come in different colors, such as bright cream, and have a mid-dorsal stripe.
You must avoid these creatures because they are known to be highly venomous. The other colors that these snakes usually come in include green, olive, and black. They are known to be some of the most adaptable snakes that you can find in Houston.
They thrive in the greater Houston area and they consume Texas lizards and toads. You should avoid them because when they bite, they are likely to deliver a highly potent venom to your system.
Pygmy Rattlesnake
The pygmy rattlesnake is one of the most common snakes that you are going to find in Houston because they are more common in cities than in other locations. They come in different colors and you are likely to find most of them being reddish to brown with some stripes. They are a constant presence in the city of Houston.
These snakes are highly venomous and dangerous because they are known to bite and deliver a high dosage of lethal venom. The venom is known to kill an adult human being. They are known to inhabit different areas of the city from the marshes, gardens, parks, and even in humid areas in the living settlements across the city.
These snakes eat a wide array of species ranging from bugs, insects, and lizards.
Let’s learn more about the dangerous snakes in the surrounding states as well:
