There are various snakes in the state of Kansas and they are spread based on the prevailing climatic conditions of the state. Since the snakes are usually very adaptable creatures then there is a likelihood that you will find some species that are suited to the mountainous areas while others prefer the grassland, steppes, or even dry lands.
If you are an avid outdoor enthusiast then there is a likelihood that you will interact with these snakes in different parts of the state. There are over forty snake species in the state and these are spread across the state. A small portion of these snake species are venomous.
During the summer period, these snakes usually come out and you are likely to see them. Here are some of the snakes that you will find in the state of Kansas.
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Eastern Racer snake
The eastern racer is an iconic snake that is common across the state of Kansas and you are going to find them in the eastern part of Kansas. They usually inhabit different areas such as the prairies, grasslands, and suburban areas as well as even farmlands.
These snakes tend to be very elusive and they can be found in hay piles, burn pits, and trash piles among others. They are very fast species and when you encounter them, they are going to move quickly.
Learn more: Dangerous animals in Kansas
Whenever they feel threatened, they are agile and will hide away. It is important to note that if you threaten them then they are likely to attack you immediately.
Eastern Hognose Snake
The eastern hognose snake is a snake that is popularly found in the eastern part of the forested parts of Kansas. This snake can grow up to 36 inches long and they come in different colors such as red, tan, brown, yellow. They have a thick body with dark brown blotches.
They are a nonvenomous species and they consume a wide array of creatures such as mice, rats, toads, and frogs. They tend to prefer areas along the sandy rivers and they are known for their defensive behavior.
Whenever the snake is cornered, they are likely to attack back and you should be careful when exploring different parts of the state.
Western diamondback rattlesnake
This is one of the most popular snakes that you will find in different parts of Kansas. It mostly inhabits the plains, rocky areas, forests, and desert regions. While it can be difficult to see them regularly there is a high chance that you will find them in different locations across the state.
These are some of the most aggressive snakes that you are going to find in this region and they are usually the biggest rattlesnakes in the state. They grow up to 7 feet long and they are characterized by broad heads with a dark line between each eye and their mouth.
Their scales are usually keeled and they have dark diamond patterns on their bodies. They come in different colors ranging from cream, grey, brown, olive, yellow-grey, and blue-gray. The legendary rattlesnakes have specific tails with two to eight bands on them which feature different colors from grey, white, and cream.
Northern Water Snake
The northern water snake is a snake that is popular in the state of Kansas because it is found in different places such as lakes, rivers and streams. The snake will vary in shade depending on the area. Some of the colors that the snakes come in include brown and gray and even some might look like a water moccasin.
These snakes are not venomous in nature. However, you should always ensure that you stay safe, because whenever they feel threatened then they are likely to attack you. If you are a person who loves water sports such as swimming, fishing, and kayaking then it is important that you watch out for these snakes in different parts of the state.
They consume a wide array of species such as rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and lizards.
Cottonmouth Snake
The cottonmouth snake is a semiaquatic snake that you will find in different parts of the state of Kansas. The only part of the state where you will not find these snakes are in the southeastern region.
They are dull-colored snakes and while they might not look harmful, it is essential to note that they can be dangerous. When they bite, they will deliver venom to your body that is going to cause a severe allergic reaction as well as the failure of the neurons and this might result in fatalities because it can cause heart attack among other complications.
It is rare for you to encounter the cottonmouth snake in Kansas, but still possible.
Timber Rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnake is a snake that can be found in different places in the state of Kansas. These snakes are usually very shy and they can flee whenever they are threatened.
However, you should note that they can attack whenever they are feeling cornered. It has some of the most deadliest venoms that you will find in snakes in the area. The concentration is exceptional and you should watch out for them because when they bite you then the neurotoxin will affect your central nervous system causing your liver, lungs, and heart to fail. This will lead to instant death.
The timber rattlesnake usually lives on the eastern side of the state of Kansas. They thrive in the counties near the Missouri River.
Prairie Rattlesnake
The prairie rattlesnake is a popular snake that you will find in different parts of the state of Kansas and they are mostly on the western part of the state. The speckled brown reptile is mostly found in areas that are rocky as well as those that are more with dry vegetation and places where they can hide or hide in burrows.
It is important to note that just like any other prairie snake the prairie rattlesnake has rings around the tail and it is known for its rattling sound whenever it feels threatened or when it is agitated. They are known to flee rather than attack when provoked. However, it is important that you stay away from them because they can bite and cause dangerous infections to your body.
It is recommended that if you are bitten by the snake then you should seek immediate medical attention. They are not usually aggressive and therefore will not attack you unless they are provoked. They usually come out at night and you are going to find them in different places on the planet.
Western Massasauga
The western massasauga is one of the venomous snakes that you are going to find in the state of Kansas and it is a smaller snake when compared to other rattlesnakes that are found in the state. However, they are popular because of their unique features such as the patterned scales that are moisturized.
That means these species prefer wetlands and therefore if you are going to explore these areas then you are likely to encounter them.
They consume rodents, frogs, lizards, turtles, and even other smaller snakes.
Copperhead snake
Copperhead snakes are a venomous species found in the state of Kansas, primarily in the eastern and southeastern regions. These snakes are known for their distinctive coppery-red head and hourglass-shaped bands on their bodies, which provide excellent camouflage in their natural habitat.
Copperheads are relatively small, typically growing to about 2-3 feet in length. While their venom is potent enough to incapacitate their prey, it is rarely life-threatening to humans.
Encounters with copperheads are infrequent due to their shy and reclusive nature. They prefer wooded areas, grasslands, and rocky terrain, making them a relatively uncommon sight in the flat landscapes of Kansas.
Coachwhip snake
The coachwhip snake is an iconic snake that you are going to find in the state of Kansas. They are unique snakes that grow up to 72 inches long and they are characterized by their small head with large eyes. Coachwhips come in different colors such as grey, black, and other hues.
They are nonvenomous snakes and they usually consume a wide array of creatures such as small birds, rodents, and lizards among others. The slender coachwhip snake can be found in different parts of the state such as the western and the southern region of Kansas.
Some of the places that you are likely to find them include the fields, pine forests, and prairies. They are an important part of the ecosystem and they are nocturnal creatures.
Plains Milksnake
Just as the name indicates this is a snake that you are going to find in various parts of the state of Kansas, as the state is full of plains. The plains milk snake has a very unique appearance and they are often very scary, however, they are nonvenomous in nature and you should not be worried about them in case you encounter them.
The plains milk snakes have distinctive bands with different colorations such as black, yellow, and red. It is important that when you are exploring the prairies of Kansas then you should keep an eye on this snake. They are usually very active during the summer months especially from July through August.
Gopher Snake
The gopher snake is yet another one of the snakes that you will find in the state of Kansas. They are known to grow up to 72 inches long and their bodies are long, muscular, and with colors such as light brown and dark blotches all over the bodies. They are nonvenomous species.
They are the largest snakes in Kansas which can reach up to 6 feet long. They usually consume rodents, snakes, lizards, and mice. The gopher snake is known to mimic the rattlesnakes and they are mostly mistaken for rattlesnakes. They usually ignore people and you should not interfere with them if you do not want to be bitten.
They usually flee away when they meet people, however, you should not corner them because they can retaliate.
