Arkansas is home to a wide variety of snakes, with over 36 species slithering through its forests, fields, and waterways.

While many people fear snakes, the truth is that most of them are harmless and play a vital role in controlling rodent populations.

However, it’s still important to know which snakes to watch out for!

Of all the varieties of snakes in Arkansas only 6 of them are venomous! .

Close up of a copperhead snake. You can clearly see his eye and some of the markings. This is on a post about snakes in Arkansas. Pin

Snakes in Arkansas: The Venomous

There are six venomous snake species in Arkansas, all of which belong to the pit viper family except for the coral snake.

Here are the ones you don’t want to mess with:

  1. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake – Recognizable by its distinctive rattle and diamond-shaped patterns. This snake is found mostly in west central Arkansas, in upland rocky areas, open pine-hardwood forests and rocky outcrops. 
  2. Timber Rattlesnake – They are a grayish, yellowish color with a more subtle pattern than the diamondback rattlesnake. They are found in the pine-hardwood forests and rocky or brushy fields and hillsides statewide.
  3. Western Pygmy Rattlesnake – A smaller rattlesnake with a gray and black tones and a rust color running down its back. It is found statewide in open brushy lowlands, open hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests. 
  4. Copperhead – This is the most common venomous snake in the state and definitely the one that I’ve encountered most often. It is a tan/taupe snake/brownish snake with darker brown hourglass-shaped bands. It is found statewide in mixed pine-hardwood forests, bottomland hardwood forests, rocky or brushy fields and hillsides. 
  5. Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) – This is a dark gray to blackish snake with an obscured pattern that lives in or near water. This semi-aquatic snake has a bright white mouth (cottonmouth) that it displays when threatened. You might see them in a variety of wetland habitats: swamps, oxbow lakes, sloughs, drainage ditches and streams. 
  6. Texas Coral Snake – This is the only non pit viper in Arkansas and it is rare. This snake has alternating red, yellow, and black bands. It resembles another non-venomous snake and the rhyme “Red touches yellow, kill a fellow; red touches black, friend of Jack” can help you determine which one it is. This snake is found in the southwestern portion of state in moist pine, hardwood or mixed pine-hardwood forests with loose, sandy soils and pine straw, leaf litter and logs for cover. 
Photo of a coral snake. red on yellow bands. Pin

I will say that I have done miles and miles of hiking and traipsing through the fields and forests of Arkansas and I have never even seen a rattlesnake or a coral snake. Maybe I’m just lucky.

I have, however, frequently spotted copperheads and cottonmouths and yep, seeing any snake in the wild (or in your yard) will give you a start!

Just remember that most snakes are slow to strike and will go to great lengths to avoid people.

Check out this site with photos to help you learn to identify the venomous and nonvenomous snakes in Arkansas!

Here are some more animals in Arkansas that you might be interested in learning about:

Snakes in Arkansas: The Nonvenomous

The good news is that majority of snakes in Arkansas are nonvenomous and completely harmless to humans. Some of the most common include:

  • Rat Snakes – Excellent climbers and great at keeping rodent populations in check.
  • Garter Snakes – Frequently seen in gardens and fields, these small snakes are harmless to humans.
  • Milk Snakes – Often mistaken for coral snakes, they have a similar red, black, and white banding but lack venom.
  • Water Snakes – Frequently confused with cottonmouths, these nonvenomous snakes are beneficial for the ecosystem.
  • King Snakes – Immune to venom and known for eating other snakes, including venomous ones!
Close up of The hands of a child holding a small garden snake. Pin

Some Tips to Avoid Snakes

Did you know that Arkansas is the state with the second highest number of snake bites reported per year?

We come in just after North Carolina. These numbers include bites from both venomous and non-venomous snakes. Here are a few things that might want to help you avoid snakes in Arkansas and wherever you are.

  • Give them space – Most snakes will avoid humans if possible. If you see a snake stand back and let them pass, leave them alone. Most people are actually bitten when they are trying to kill a snake.
  • Watch where you step – Be mindful when hiking, especially in rocky or wooded areas.
  • Make a little noise when walking and hiking.
  • Wear close-toed hiking shoes or boots.
  • Watch where you put your hands. If you are wanting to move a log or some debris use a stick first to check for snakes.
  • Know your snakes – Learning how to identify venomous vs. nonvenomous species can help ease fear and prevent unnecessary snake killings.
  • Use a flashlight when walking outside at night. Especially in the summer when snakes are more active in the cooler evenings.
  • Know when snakes are most active. In the summer they are most active at night, in the spring and fall or on cool days they seek patches of sunlight.

I know that many people, including me, are afraid of snakes. But it is important to know that snakes are an important part of Arkansas’s natural ecosystem.

While some are venomous and should be avoided, most are harmless and even beneficial. The key is giving them the respect they deserve!

We hope that you enjoy the beautiful state of Arkansas and don’t have any snake encounters.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Karen and Emily

Hey y'all! Thanks for stopping by.

We are Karen and Emily, a mother and daughter duo who write this blog together. We are based in Central Arkansas but love to travel all around our beautiful home state and share our discoveries with you!

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