Snakes in Louisiana: A Guide to Poisonous & Harmless Species

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Learn to identify common snakes in LA’s swamps, lakes & forests

Co-authored by Clint Bartley and Devin McSween

Last Updated: August 29, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Venomous Snakes
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• Nonvenomous Snakes
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• How many snakes are in Louisiana?
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Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise” for its rich wildlife and diverse landscapes, and snakes are definitely a part of the mix! The state is home to 48 different species, including some venomous snakes. If you’re curious which snakes slither through Louisiana’s swamps, streams, forests, and cities, we’ve got you covered. We’re going over all of the Pelican State’s venomous snakes as well as some common nonvenomous snakes, with wikiHow-exclusive insights from a herpetology expert.

What are the most common snakes in Louisiana?

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Louisiana is home to 48 species of snakes, 7 of which are venomous: cottonmouth, eastern copperhead, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, harlequin coral snake, and Texas coral snake. Common nonvenomous snakes include the garter, watersnake, western ratsnake, and Dekay’s brownsnake.

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Section 1 of 3:

Venomous Snakes in Louisiana

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   Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Also known as the water moccasin, the cottonmouth is one of the most common venomous snakes you’ll see in Louisiana. Adults typically have dark brown or black scales, while juveniles display a jagged pattern of dark and light brown scales and a yellow tail. They have a broad, triangular head, a heat-sensing pit between the eyes and nostrils, and elliptical pupils. When threatened, they coil up, vibrate their tail, and open their mouth to expose the bright white inside and their fangs.

   • Average size: 15–55 in (38–140 cm)
   • Habitat: Swamps, ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams—typically by freshwater
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Most active during twilight and night; often act defensive when encountered rather than fleeing
   • Type of venom: Hemotoxic (destroys tissue, disrupts blood clotting, causes pain and swelling) - antivenin available

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Clint Bartley is a herpetology expert with over 30 years of experience working with reptiles. He opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store.
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   Eastern Copperhead Snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) Also known simply as the copperhead, these snakes are another common venomous variety in Louisiana. Herpetology expert Clint Bartley explains that copperheads typically have a very light tan to brilliant orange coloration, with a Hershey Kiss-type pattern along the top of their spine and their sides. They also have a thick, triangular head and don't get incredibly large. Notably, the copperhead’s head is a solid copper or reddish orange color.

   • Average size: 14–45 in (36–114 cm)
   • Habitat: Forests and wooded areas
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Most active at dawn and dusk; not aggressive and often lie motionless to camouflage themselves
   • Type of venom: Hemotoxic (destroys tissue, disrupts blood clotting, causes pain and swelling) - antivenin available
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   Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) Also known as the canebrake or banded rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake is a large but rather uncommon venomous snake in Louisiana. It has a distinct rattle at the end of its black tail, and a light tan body with dark brown bands and a reddish stripe down its back. The timber rattlesnake’s head is broad with a characteristic brown stripe from its eye to the edge of its mouth.

   • Average size: 25–70 in (64–178 cm)
   • Habitat: Forests and wooded areas, particularly hardwood forests
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana (though uncommon west of the Atchafalaya Basin and the pinelands in the southwest)
   • Behavior: Active during the day in spring/fall and dawn and dusk in the summer; not aggressive, but will shake its rattle if threatened
   • Type of venom: Usually hemotoxic (destroys tissue, disrupts blood clotting, causes pain and swelling) venom, neurotoxic (causes paralysis and respiratory distress) varieties exist - antivenin available
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   Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) The pygmy rattlesnake is the smallest venomous snake in Louisiana. These snakes have pale gray or tannish bodies with dark brown or black spots on their backs and sides, as well as a reddish-orange stripe along their spines. They also have a wide black band on the side of their heads and a tiny rattle at the end of their tails.

   • Average size: 10–20 in (25–51 cm)
   • Habitat: Wooded areas, particularly pinelands, but also pine flatwoods, dry coastlands, and palmetto flatwoods
   • Local range: Mostly western and eastern Louisiana
   • Behavior: Active at night; not aggressive but will shake its rattle if threatened
   • Type of venom: Hemotoxic (destroys tissue, disrupts blood clotting, causes pain and swelling) - antivenin available
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   Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are very rare in Louisiana. These large snakes have brown or tan bodies with distinct dark brown, diamond-shaped markings along their back. They have a large and broad head with a dark brown stripe outlined in white that runs from their eyes to the edge of their mouths. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes also have a characteristic rattle at the end of their tails.

   • Average size: 25–90 in (64–229 cm)
   • Habitat: Open pinelands
   • Local range: Very small area of the southeast (Tangipahoa, Washington, and St. Tammany parishes)
   • Behavior: Active during the day in cooler months and during the night in warmer months; not aggressive and rather reclusive, but will coil and rattle its tail if threatened
   • Type of venom: Hemotoxic (destroys tissue, disrupts blood clotting, causes pain, swelling, and internal bleeding) - antivenin available
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   Harlequin Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) Also known as the eastern coral snake, the harlequin coral snake is another very rare, venomous snake in Louisiana. It’s a slender snake that’s easy to identify by its bold bands of black and red that are separated by bands of yellow. While coral snakes look similar to some nonvenomous snakes, like the king snake and milk snake, Bartley says you can spot coral snakes native to the US with this common saying: “Red touches yellow, kill a fellow. Red touches black, friend of Jack.”

   • Average size: 15–36 in (38–91 cm)
   • Habitat: Dry, wooded areas, particularly pinelands
   • Local range: Very small area of the southeast (Florida parishes)
   • Behavior: Very secretive and reclusive - rarely visible except during spring/fall and after heavy rains; most active during the day; not aggressive and reluctant to bite
   • Type of venom: Neurotoxic (causes paralysis, slurred speech, double vision, respiratory distress) - antivenin available
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   Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) The Texas coral snake is a similar variety to the harlequin coral snake that’s also in Louisiana. Like the harlequin coral snake, they are slender and have bold stripes of black and red separated by bands of yellow. So, the rhyme, “Red touches yellow, kill a fellow. Red touches black, friend of Jack” still applies for these venomous snakes.

   • Average size: 15–36 in (38–91 cm)
   • Habitat: Dry, wooded areas
   • Local range: Mostly western Louisiana, west of the Mississippi River
   • Behavior: Very secretive and reclusive; rarely visible except during spring/fall and after heavy rains; most active during the day; not aggressive and reluctant to bite
   • Type of venom: Neurotoxic (causes paralysis, slurred speech, double vision, respiratory distress) - antivenin available
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Section 2 of 3:

Common Nonvenomous Snakes in Louisiana

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   Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) The common garter snake is a common snake found throughout Louisiana. It’s a medium-sized snake with tan or brown sides, black spots, a stripe of white, yellow, or orange down its back, and a pale belly. Their heads are slightly broad, and they have round pupils.

   • Average size: 15–45 in (38–114 cm)
   • Habitat: Most habitats (forests, wetlands, meadows)
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Active day and night; not aggressive and typically flee when approached; when threatened, may flatten their head into a diamond shape
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   Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) This is another fairly common nonvenomous snake in Louisiana. Common watersnakes have orangeish-tan or gray bodies with dark brown, reddish brown, or gray bands. Their bellies are pale with small crescent-shaped markings. The common watersnake also has round pupils and lacks a heat-sensing pit next to its nostrils, which helps set it apart from the cottonmouth.

   • Average size: 16–50 in (41–127 cm)
   • Habitat: Streams and rivers near wooded areas
   • Local range: Small area of the southeast (Florida parishes)
   • Behavior: Active during day and night; not aggressive, but will readily bite if threatened
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   Diamond-backed Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer) Also known as the fish snake, the diamond-backed watersnake is another common watersnake in Louisiana. These snakes have a light grayish-brown body with a dark brown or black chain-like pattern. Diamond-backed watersnakes also have round pupils and lack heat-sensing pits on their faces.

   • Average size: 18–65 in (46–165 cm)
   • Habitat: Lakes, ponds, streams, swamps, and wetlands (freshwater)
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Active mostly during the night; not aggressive, but can bite if threatened
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   Western Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus) The western ratsnake is a fairly large snake that ranges from tan or gray with spots of dark brown or black down its back and sides, or almost solidly black with some pale outlines creating splotches. Some ratsnakes also have some spots of yellow, orange, or red scales. While ratsnakes are nonvenomous, Bartley says they can rattle their tail against dead leaves when they’re threatened to ward off predators.

   • Average size: 25–84 in (64–213 cm)
   • Habitat: Most habitats (woodlands, pastures, farmland)
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana, except the Florida parishes
   • Behavior: Active during the day, though mostly nocturnal during the warm months; often climb on trees and buildings; not aggressive, but will coil up and mimic a rattle sound if they feel threatened
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   Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) Also known as the brown snake, Dekay’s brownsnake is a small and common snake throughout Louisiana. They have tan or brownish bodies with a pale stripe down their backs, and some have dark spots on their sides. Dekay’s brownsnake also has a distinct dark spot underneath its eye.

   • Average size: 7–16 in (18–41 cm)
   • Habitat: Most habitats, including urban and suburban areas
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Active at night; commonly hides under debris like leaves and dense ground cover; not aggressive, but may flatten its head and coil up when threatened
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   Speckled Kingsnake (Lampropeltis holbrooki) The speckled kingsnake is a large snake that has a distinct speckled pattern. Its body is a glossy black with small spots of white or yellow. Bartley notes that king snakes may rattle their tail against dead leaves to ward off predators (just like rat snakes).

   • Average size: 16–60 in (41–152 cm)
   • Habitat: Woodlands and semi-open areas
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Active during the day during cooler months and at night during warmer months; not aggressive, but can bite if handled
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   Glossy Swampsnake (Liodytes rigida) The glossy swampsnake is another common nonvenomous snake in Louisiana. As the name implies, these snakes are a solid glossy gray, olive, or brown color. They have a creamy belly with two rows of dark spots, and noticeably large eyes with round pupils.

   • Average size: 15–30 in (38–76 cm)
   • Habitat: Most habitats, particularly swamps and bayous, except very dry areas and salt marshes
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Active at night; not aggressive and typically flee when encountered, though they may flatten their heads and release a musk scent when threatened
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   Eastern and Western Ribbonsnakes (Thamnophis saurita and proximus) The eastern and western ribbonsnakes are two common snakes found throughout Louisiana, with the western variety calling most of the state its home. These slender snakes are primarily dark brown or black with thin stripes of white (eastern) or orange (western).

   • Average size: 16–35 in (41–89 cm) (eastern); 16–42 in (41–107 cm) (western)
   • Habitat: Woodland areas near swamps
   • Local range: Small area of the southeast (eastern); throughout most of Louisiana (western)
   • Behavior: Active during the day; not aggressive and typically flees when encountered
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   North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) Also known as the southern black racer, black-masked racer, yellow-bellied racer, tan racer, or buttermilk racer, this is a pretty common snake in Louisiana. The North American racer is a shiny black color with a white throat, large eyes, and a whitish or yellow belly. Juveniles are a pale gray color with reddish brown spots along their sides.

   • Average size: 20–65 in (51–165 cm)
   • Habitat: Most non-aquatic habitats, particularly open country and woodlands
   • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
   • Behavior: Very active during the day; not typically aggressive, but can be territorial during early spring and may stand their ground rather than flee; when threatened, they might vibrate their tails, release a musk scent, and strike
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    Red Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus) The red corn snake is a medium-sized snake that’s easy to identify by its reddish-brown coloring. It’s covered in reddish-orange splotches outlined in brown and has a distinct white belly with a black checkerboard-like pattern.

    • Average size: 20–65 in (51–165 cm)
    • Habitat: Wooded areas (pine woods, hardwoods) and around barns
    • Local range: Small area of the southeast (Florida parishes)
    • Behavior: Active during dawn and dusk; mostly terrestrial but can climb; not aggressive but may coil up when threatened
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    Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea) Scarlet snakes are fairly common in Louisiana, and while they might look similar to coral snakes, they are not venomous. These small, slender snakes have a cream or yellow body with splotches of red outlined in black and a solid white belly. The red and yellow are separated by black, so the popular rhyme still applies: “Red touches black, friend of Jack.”

    • Average size: 13–25 in (33–64 cm)
    • Habitat: Wooded areas, typically pine and hardwood forests
    • Local range: Mostly the northwest and southeast
    • Behavior: Active at night; very secretive and reclusive, so rarely seen; not aggressive and not known to bite
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    Red-bellied Mudsnake (Farancia abacura) The red-bellied mudsnake has a glossy black body with a distinct red belly that’s interspersed with bands of black. It has a short, blunt head and small eyes. While the red-bellied mudsnake’s tail ends in a hard point, it does not sting, nor is it venomous.

    • Average size: 25–80 in (64–203 cm)
    • Habitat: Swampy areas
    • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
    • Behavior: Active at night; not aggressive
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    Graham’s Crawfish Snake (Regina grahamii) Also known as Graham’s crayfish snake, this is another fairly common aquatic snake. These snakes have gray or olive colored bodies with yellowish or tannish bellies. As their name implies, they primarily eat crawfish and often take shelter in crawfish burrows.

    • Average size: 15–45 in (38–114 cm)
    • Habitat: Marshes, swamps, and bayous
    • Local range: Throughout most of Louisiana
    • Behavior: Active at night; pretty secretive and rarely seen; not aggressive
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Section 3 of 3:

How many snakes are in Louisiana?

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1. There are 48 species of snakes in Louisiana, of which 7 are venomous. Louisiana is home to many snakes, but luckily only a few are venomous. Many snakes are aquatic and live near the state’s wetlands, lakes, and rivers, while others are terrestrial and found in forests or farmlands. Some are even common in urban areas.

   • Some nonvenomous species do look similar to the venomous species (cottonmouth, copperhead, rattlesnakes, and coral snakes). To help tell them apart, Bartley recommends familiarizing yourself with what the venomous species in your area look like.
   • What should you do if you come across a snake? Steer clear. Pest control specialist Elmer Bensinger recommends calling a professional snake handler to take care of it rather than attempting to do so yourself. Even if you think the snake is nonvenomous, you could still potentially get bitten.

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