- Western Worm Snake
- Northern Scarlet Snake
- Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer
- Prairie Ring-necked Snake
- Great Plains Rat Snake
- Black Rat Snake
- Western Fox Snake
- Western Mud Snake
- Plains Hog-nosed Snake
- Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
- Prairie Kingsnake
- Speckled Kingsnake
- Red Milk Snake
- Eastern Coachwhip
- Mississippi Green Water Snake
- Yellow-bellied Water Snake
- Broad-banded Water Snake
- Diamond-backed Water Snake
- Northern Water Snake
- Rough Green Snake
- Smooth Green Snake
- Bullsnake
- Graham's Crayfish Snake
- Ground Snake
- Midland Brown Snake
- Northern Red-bellied Snake
- Flat-headed Snake
- Western Ribbon Snake
- Plains Garter Snake
- Eastern Garter Snake
- Lined Snake
- Rough Earth Snake
- Western Earth Snake
Western Worm Snake
Carphophis vermis
This species is usually purplish-brown above and salmon pink on the belly
and lower sides. The tail has an interesting (and harmless) spike which also
helps it maneuver through soil. Length ranges from 7 to 11 inches (18-28 cm).
This species is never seen in the open; it either hides under rocks, logs or
boards, or burrows into damp soil or leaf litter. Worm snakes mainly live on
wooded hillsides. They eat earthworms and insect larvae and eggs.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide, except for extreme southeastern corner and a few counties in the north-central part of the state.
Northern Scarlet Snake
Cemophora coccinea copei
One of Missouri's most brilliantly colored snakes that is extremely rare to
find. It is similar in pattern and color to the red milk snake, but instead
has a red or orange color snout and a spotless, white belly. It is 14 to 20
inches (36-51 cm) long. This secretive snake spends much of its life underground,
surfacing to feed mainly on eggs of other reptiles and occasionally rodents,
lizards and small snakes. It is named for the red or crimson colored blotches
along the back.
Missouri Distribution: South-central and southern parts of the state.
Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer
Coluber constrictor flaviventris
Local Name: Blue Racer
Color of this common snake is variable—from olive, tan, brown or blue
to nearly black. The belly may be yellow, cream or light blue-gray. Young racers
are clearly marked with brown blotches and spots (see inset), but these markings
fade and eventually disappear as the young snakes grow. Length averages from
30 to 50 inches (76-127 cm). Racers prefer bushy fields, grasslands and open
woods. This species is active by day and will take shelter under rocks, brush
or in animal burrows if pursued. As the name implies, racers can move fast,
especially through tall grass or brush. As with many of our harmless snakes,
a racer sometimes will vibrate its tail when alarmed. Food includes frogs, lizards,
snakes, small rodents and birds.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide, replaced by the southern black racer—a subspecies—in southeastern Missouri.
Prairie Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus arnyi
Ringneck snakes are easily recognizable by their small size, uniform dark
color on the back, bright yellow-orange belly and distinct yellow ring around
the neck. The back can be dark brown, gray or blue-black. The belly is yellow,
changing to orange near the tail. The belly also has small, black spots which
are irregular in size and pattern. Length ranges from 10 to 14 inches (25-36
cm). Ringnecks live on rocky, wooded hillsides. Ringneck snakes are secretive
and not only take shelter under rocks but also find prey there—worms,
slugs, soft bodied insects and small salamanders.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide, but replaced by the Mississippi ring-necked snake—a subspecies—in the southeastern corner.
Great Plains Rat Snake
Elaphe guttata
This species is another member of the rat snake group and is seldom seen.
This snake has numerous brown blotches along the body, a brown eye stripe, and
a spearpoint marking on top of the head. It is 24 to 36 inches (61-91 cm) long.
Lives in open, rocky, wooded hillsides, where they venture out at night to feed
on rodents, bats and small birds. Like other rat snakes, Great Plains rat snakes
vibrate their tails when alarmed, and will bite to defend themselves, but the
bite is harmless.
Missouri Distribution: Mainly wooded areas in the southern half of the state and along Missouri River counties, excluding southeastern counties.
Black Rat Snake
Elaphe obsoleta
Local Name: black snake
This is one of our largest common snakes. It is generally shiny black, but
some individuals show dark brown blotches. Skin between the scales along the
sides may be red. The belly is mottled with gray or may be checkered with black.
Length averages from 42 to 72 inches (107-183 cm). Black rat snakes live in
a wide variety of habitats: rocky, wooded hillsides, wooded areas along rivers,
in or near farm buildings. This species is well known for its ability to climb
trees. Black rat snakes eat rodents, birds, birds' eggs. They kill their prey
by constriction. Farmers are well aware of the value of black rat snakes in
controlling destructive rodents. Young of this species are light gray with dark
brown or black markings (see inset), but after a year or two of growth, the
color normally will change to a more uniform black.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide, but shows some indication of being replaced by the gray rat snake—a subspecies—in the southeastern corner.
Western Fox Snake
Elaphe vulpina
This is a marsh-dwelling member of the rat snake group. General color is yellowish,
greenish-brown or tan, with large brown blotches on the back and smaller ones
on the sides. The head of fox snakes may show some orange color, which might
cause them to be misidentified as a copperhead. Belly color is normally yellow,
marked with a distinct black, checkered pattern. Length averages from 36 to
54 inches (91-137 cm). The species is believed to be an inhabitant of open grasslands
and borders of woods. In Missouri, the fox snake has been found near large,
natural marshes, but it is not a common snake. Food includes small rodents and
birds. Fox snakes kill their prey by constriction, vibrate their tail when alarmed
and will bite to defend themselves.
Missouri Distribution: Northern third of the state.
Western Mud Snake
Farancia abacura reinwardtii
Local Name: hoop snake
This is a shiny, iridescent snake of the southeastern swamps. It is shiny
black on top and the belly is red, pink and orange with some black spots. The
tail of most specimens ends in a sharp point, which is harmless. Length ranges
from 40 to 54 inches (102-137 cm). This species lives in and near the large
swamps in the southeastern corner of the state. Mud snakes have specialized
food habits; primarily, they eat an aquatic salamander called the three-toed
amphiuma. Mud snakes also eat salamanders, tadpoles and fish. A myth associated
with this species contends that it can place its tail in its mouth and roll
downhill at high speed. We are not sure of the origin of this myth, but there
is no scientific basis to it.
Missouri Distribution: Restricted to the southeastern corner of the state.
Plains Hog-nosed Snake
Heterodon nasicus nasicus
This species is restricted to sandy, loose prairie soils. The Plains hog-nosed
snake differs from the eastern hog-nosed snake by having a sharply upturned
snout and black pigment on the underside of the tail. It is 16 to 25 inches
(41-64 cm) long. This species has always been quite rare in the state and has
not been seen for many years. Toads, snakes and lizard eggs are the primary
foods, but small rodents are also eaten. Their shovel-like snout is used to
dig out prey items which they detect by smell. Like other hog-nosed snakes,
this species is known to play dead in self defense.
Missouri Distribution: May occur in the loess hill prairies in extreme northwestern counties. The dusky hog-nosed snake—a subspecies—lives in the sand prairie areas of southeastern Missouri.
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
Local Names: spreadhead, puff adder, hissing viper
A snake with an upturned snout, the eastern hognose normally is gray-brown
or tan with distinct dark brown markings down its back. Some individuals lack
most of the spots, except for two large black spots behind the head. The belly
is mottled with gray. Length averages from 20 to 33 inches (51-84 cm). Preferred
habitat is sandy areas or open woods with loose soil. This harmless snake has
the ability to hiss loudly and spread its neck like a cobra. If this defense
fails to ward off an enemy, the snake may thrash around, open its mouth, roll
over and play dead. Hog-nosed snakes feed chiefly on toads but are also known
to eat frogs and salamanders.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide.
Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster
This is a fairly common snake over most of the state. Overall color is tan,
brownish-gray or greenish-gray. Numerous dark blotches down the back and sides
are brown, reddish or greenish-brown. The belly is yellowish-tan covered by
blocky, brown markings. Length averages from 30 to 42 inches (76-107 cm). The
prairie kingsnake lives in prairies and open woods, as well as rocky, wooded
hillsides. Kingsnakes are known for their ability to eat other snakes including
venomous species and are immune to the venom of copperheads, cottonmouths and
rattlesnakes. Other foods include lizards, small rodents and, occasionally,
birds. Kingsnakes kill their prey by constriction. Young or newly hatched prairie
kingsnakes often are confused with the venomous copperhead. Kingsnakes have
round markings on their back (see inset) while copperheads have hourglass-shaped
markings.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide.
Speckled Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
Local Name: salt and pepper snake
This handsome snake is generally black. A white or yellow spot in the center
of most of the scales causes it to look speckled. The belly is yellowish with
some irregular black markings. Length averages from 36 to 48 inches (91-122
cm). The speckled kingsnake can be found under rocks, logs or boards on rocky,
wooded hillsides or near farm buildings. Like the rest of our kingsnakes, the
speckled kingsnake vibrates its tail when alarmed. It feeds on lizards, snakes
and small rodents.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide.
Red Milk Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum syspila
This is one of Missouri's most beautifully colored snakes. General body color
is white or light tan with red or orange markings bordered with black. The belly
is white and strongly checked with black. Length ranges from 21 to 28 inches
(53-71 cm). This species lives under rocks on wooded rocky hillsides and cedar
glades. The red milk snake often is misidentified as a coral snake, which is
not found in Missouri. Coral snakes have red bands bordered by yellow. The red
milk snake, like other kingsnakes, feeds on lizards, small snakes and small
mice, killing its prey by constriction. The milk snake was so named for the
myth that it had the ability to nurse milk from cattle.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide.
Eastern Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum flagellum
This is one of our longest snakes. It is dark brown or black from the head
back over half the length of the snake. The rest of the snake is tan or light
brown. Some specimens in our area are totally black. Length averages from 42
to 60 inches (107-152 cm). The eastern coachwhip lives on rocky, wooded, south-facing
hillsides, open woods and prairies. Because it is fast-moving and thrashes about
when captured, some people believe coachwhips can whip a person to death. This
is a myth. The coachwhip will bite to defend itself and may vibrate its tail
when alarmed. Coachwhips eat mice, insects, lizards, small snakes and, occasionally,
small birds.
Missouri Distribution: Southern half of the state except for the southeastern corner.
Mississippi Green Water Snake
Nerodia cyclopion
This semi-aquatic snake was once somewhat common in southeastern Missouri,
but is now quite rare. This heavy-bodied snake is greenish-brown with numerous
small, obscure brown markings. The belly is dark gray with numerous, yellow
half-moon shaped markings. It is 30 to 45 inches (76-114 cm) in length. Due
to drastic reductions in native cypress swamps, this species is endangered in
Missouri. Water snakes bite viciously to defend themselves and also secret a
strong-smelling musk from glands at the base of the tail. This swamp-dwelling
snake feeds mainly on fish, salamanders, frogs and crayfish.
Missouri Distribution: Restricted to the southeastern corner of the state.
Yellow-bellied Water Snake
Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
This medium-sized water snake is named for its yellow belly. Coloration is
mainly gray or greenish with little or no pattern. It is 30 to 48 inches (76-122
cm) long. This species is found in swamps, sloughs, lakes and ponds where it
can be found basking on overhanging branches or logs in the water. Like other
species of water snakes, yellow-bellied water snakes give birth to live young.
Food includes fish, amphibians and crayfish.
Missouri Distribution: Lives throughout southeastern Missouri and north along the Mississippi River floodplain. The blotched water snake (see inset)—a subspecies—occurs in southwestern and western Missouri.
Broad-banded Water Snake
Nerodia fasciata confluens
A beautiful, semi-aquatic snake that is named for its broad, irregular shaped
bands along the back. These bands can be brown, red-brown, or black in color
and are separated by yellow and gray. Length averages from 22 to 36 inches (56-91
cm). They are often seen basking on logs or among branches above the water in
cypress swamps, river sloughs, or oxbow lakes. Like other water snakes, broad-banded
water snakes are often mistaken for western cottonmouths and needlessly killed.
Water snakes bite viciously to defend themselves and also secrete a strong-smelling
musk from glands at the base of the tail.
Missouri Distribution: Restricted to the southeastern corner of the state.
Diamond-backed Water Snake
Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer
Of the seven types of water snakes native to Missouri, the diamondback is
the largest. The common name is derived from the light areas along the snake's
back which may be shaped like diamonds. Overall color may be light brown or
dull yellow, with dark brown markings on the sides and back. Two rows of dark
brown half-moons border the yellow belly. Scales along the body have keels,
which cause water snakes to feel rough. Length ranges from 30 to 48 inches (76-122
cm). Diamondbacks may live along slow-moving rivers but more commonly are seen
along river sloughs, oxbow lakes and swamps. Diamondback water snakes eat slow-moving
or dead fish, frogs and toads.
Missouri Distribution: Absent from the Ozarks; common in southeastern corner and over northern and western Missouri. Does not occur in extreme northern counties.
Northern Water Snake
Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Local Name: banded water snake
This is Missouri's most common species of water snake. A gray to reddish-brown
snake with dark brown crossbands, its belly is cream-colored with numerous black
and reddish half-moon markings. Scales along the back and sides are keeled.
Length ranges from 24 to 42 inches (61-107 cm). Northern water snakes live in
or near any aquatic habitat: ponds, lakes, sloughs, streams, rivers and marshes.
Water snakes eat fish, frogs, tadpoles, toads and salamanders. Although water
snakes will bite to defend themselves, their bite is harmless.
Missouri Distribution: Found throughout the northern two-thirds of the state. A subspecies, the midland water snake, lives in the southern third of the state.
Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus aestivus
This is a long and slender snake often seen in the Ozarks. It is light green
above and has a white or yellowish belly. Scales on the back have small ridges
or keels. Length ranges from 22 to 32 inches (56-81 cm). This species is active
by day and lives in bushes, vines and low-hanging branches of trees near streams
or lakes. It is often overlooked because it blends so well with its surroundings.
Food includes soft-bodied insects— especially grasshoppers, crickets and
smooth caterpillars—and spiders.
Missouri Distribution: Throughout the southern half of the state.
Smooth Green Snake
Opheodrys (Liochlorophis) vernalis
This gentle snake lives in grassy meadows in the northern half of the state.
This species differs from the rough green snake by having smooth scales, a smaller
size, and a more northern distribution in Missouri. It is 14 to 20 inches (36-51
cm) long. This harmless snake will struggle to escape, but seldom attempts to
bite when handled. Due to the habitat destruction and the uses of insecticides,
smooth green snakes have not been seen in the state for many years. Upon death
both species of green snakes will turn a pale blue. They feed mainly on insects,
spiders and slugs.
Missouri Distribution: Scattered counties in the northern half of the state.
Bullsnake
Pituophis catenifer sayi
The bullsnake is Missouri's largest snake. It is tan or cream-colored with
numerous, large, brown or black blotches. The tail may have light and dark bands.
Often a dark line angles from the eye down to the jaw. The belly is yellow or
cream-colored, with dark brown or black spots along the sides. Length averages
from 37 to 72 inches (94-183 cm). Commonly considered a prairie species, it
may also be found in open areas along the border of the Ozarks. Bullsnakes take
shelter in large clumps of grass or mammal burrows. This large snake may hiss
loudly and vibrate its tail when alarmed. Food includes small mammals—
especially rodents—as well as birds and bird's eggs. This species is extremely
valuable in controlling destructive rodents. Bullsnakes kill their prey by constriction.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide except for the southeastern third of the state.
Graham's Crayfish Snake
Regina grahamii
This semi-aquatic snake is fairly nondescript. They are brown to yellow-brown
in color with yellowish-tan stripes along the side of the body. Length ranges
from 18 to 28 inches (46-71 cm). This reclusive snake often takes shelter under
rocks, logs, or in crayfish burrows along the edge of streams, marshes, sloughs
or ponds. It is named for feeding mainly on freshly molted crayfish and overwintering
in crayfish burrows. Like most other snakes associated with water, Graham's
crayfish snake are often misidentified as western cottonmouths and needlessly
killed.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide, except for the Ozarks.
Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata
A small, secretive, shiny snake that is highly variable in color. It can be
gray, brown, orange or even red with or without dark bands, and it has a plain
white or cream colored belly with dark transverse bars on the tail. It is 8
to 12 inches (20-31 cm) long. Ground snakes are usually found along rocky glades,
and open, rocky woodlands on south and southwest facing slopes where they remain
hidden under flat rocks and are seldom seen. Ground snakes eat mainly scorpions,
centipedes and spiders, including the black widow.
Missouri Distribution: Southwestern corner of the state.
Midland Brown Snake
Storeria dekayi wrightorum
The midland brown snake is a close relative of the redbelly snake. The general
color is gray-brown to reddish-brown, with a white or yellowish belly. Its back
has a distinct tan stripe bordered by two rows of small, dark brown spots; the
spots normally are joined by small lines across the tan stripe. It is 9 to 13
inches (23-33 cm) long. This species prefers a moist environment and can be
found under logs, boards or rocks near marshes, swamps, moist woods and, sometimes,
rocky hillsides. Brown snakes eat earthworms, slugs, snails and soft-bodied
insects.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide, but intergrades with the Texas brown snake in the western part of Missouri.
Northern Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata
This is one of our smallest snakes. General color is gray-brown or reddish-brown
on top and bright red or orange below, and the redbelly snake usually has a
light tan stripe down the back. It is 8 to 10 inches (20-25cm) long. Redbelly
snakes are secretive and normally live under rocks or logs in rocky or damp
woods. Food includes earthworms, slugs and, occasionally, insects. This species
is sometimes mistaken for a young copperhead and needlessly killed.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide, except for several northwestern counties.
Flat-headed Snake
Tantilla gracilus
This is Missouri's smallest snake. General color is tan, gray-brown or reddish-brown.
The head sometimes is slightly darker than the rest of the body or is black,
and the belly is salmon pink. Length averages from 7 to 8 inches (18-20 cm).
It is most likely to be under rocks where there is slightly moist soil, and
south-facing, rocky, wooded hillsides are its preferred habitat. The flathead
snake feeds on centipedes and insect larvae.
Missouri Distribution: Southern half of the state except for the southeastern corner.
Western Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis proximus proximus
This long, slender snake is a variety of garter snake. Two wide, black stripes
border a yellow or orange stripe down its back, and often there is a yellow
or orange spot on its head. The belly is greenish. Length ranges from 20 to
30 inches (51-76 cm). This species lives in wooded areas near water and may
be seen along the banks of streams or the edges of ponds. Ribbon snakes eat
small frogs and, sometimes, minnows. They also will secrete a foul-smelling
musk from glands at the base of the tail when first captured, as with other
members of the garter snake group.
Missouri Distribution: Statewide.
Plains Garter Snake
Thamnophis radix
Another kind of garter snake that is associated with wet meadows and prairies,
marshes, lakes and ponds. This snake is very similar to the other garter snakes,
but it usually has a yellowish-orange stripe down the middle of the back, an
alternating double row of black spots along the sides, and black bars along
the edge of the upper green lip. It is 15 to 28 inches (38-71 cm) long. Like
other species of garter snakes, this species feeds mainly on earthworms, amphibians
and minnows.
Missouri Distribution: Occurs mainly in the north-central and western corner, with an isolated population in the eastern part of the state near St. Louis.
Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Of the five kinds of garter snakes in Missouri, the eastern garter snake is
the most common. Color is variable; it may be dark brown, greenish or olive,
and normally there are three yellowish stripes—one on the back and one
on each side. Dark areas between the light stripes may be spots instead of stripes.
The skin between scales along the sides may be red or orange. The belly is usually
yellowish-green with two indistinct rows of black spots. Length ranges from
18 to 26 inches (46-66 cm). Garter snakes often are found under boards, rocks
or other objects in the city lots, near farm buildings, in meadows or along
streams. Like many kinds of harmless snakes, garter snakes will bite to defend
themselves. Food consists of earthworms, frogs, toads, salamanders, minnows
and even small mice.
Missouri Distribution: Occurs throughout the eastern half of the state. The red-sided garter snake (see inset)— a subspecies—lives in the western half of Missouri.
Lined Snake
Tropidoclonian lineatum
This small, secretive snake is fairly easy to identify. It is mainly brown
to grayish-brown in color, with lighter color stripe down the middle of the
back and distinctive double row of half-moon shape markings along the belly.
Length averages from 8 to 15 inches (20-38 cm). Lined snakes live in a wide
variety of habitats, from native prairies and glades, to old trash dumps and
empty town lots. This species feeds primary on earthworms and will release a
foul-smelling musk from the base of the tail when handled.
Missouri Distribution: Lives mainly in the western part of the state with scattered populations in extreme northeast counties and the St. Louis area.
Rough Earth Snake
Virginia striatula
The rough earth snake is a close relative of the western earth snake and is
extremely similar in appearance. Rough earth snakes differ from western earth
snakes by having keeled scales along the back, five labial scales along the
upper lip, and a single scale between the nostrils—compared to relatively
smooth scales along the back, six labial scales along the upper lip, and two
scales between the nostrils for the western earth snake. It is 7 to 10 inches
(18-25 cm) long. This species is mainly found in open woodlands with abundant
ground cover. Rough earth snakes feed mainly on earthworms, and occasionally
eat snails and slugs. They give birth to live young, with females producing
up to 10 young in a litter.
Missouri Distribution: Southern half of the state excluding southeastern counties.
Western Earth Snake
Virginia valeriae elegans
A small snake with a cone-shaped head, this snake generally is gray to light
brown or reddish-brown. It has no distinct markings. The belly is plain white
or cream-colored. Length ranges from 7 to 10 inches (18-25 cm). This nondescript
little snake is a woodland species and usually remains hidden under rocks, logs
or in leaf litter. It feeds chiefly on earthworms.
Missouri Distribution: Throughout the southern half of the state.
Content revision: 2004/05/20
