Most people have a general understanding that the vast majority of snakes they meet in Missouri are harmless, but there are a rare few that are extremely dangerous – even deadly. To prepare yourself for the great outdoors, it is in your best interest to understand what these snakes look like as well as how they behave so you know when you need to exercise caution. In all reality, the chances that you get bitten by a dangerous snake are pretty low, but you still need to do everything in your power to arm yourself with knowledge. Take note of the appearance and marking of each snake as well as its behavior so you can identify them should cross paths in the wild.
- The Massasauga
Though it is endangered, the Massasauga snake will still pose a threat if it is cornered. Often times on family camping trips, a father will catch a garter snake to show to his children to let them see what a snake looks like. However, you should avoid the Massasauga at all costs. Admittedly, it is a non-aggressive and shy species, but should it feel threatened it could lash out.
- Copperheads
Copperhead snakes are an infamous snake native to Missouri. They get a bad rap due to how dangerous they are – their venom can potentially be lethal. However, like the Massasauga, their population is rapidly declining. Again, much like the Massasauga, copperheads are not known for being very aggressive and it is extremely rare that they will attack a human being unless they feel threatened or somebody is taunting or playing with them.
- Western Cottonmouths
Most people haven’t heard of this snake because it goes by a different name. It is commonly called the water moccasin, and it has a lining around its mouth that is white – hence the name cottonmouth. They typically grow up to 30 – 48 inches long, but some have been recorded as being 74 inches in length. When it feels threatened, it coils up, rears its head, and holds its mouth open to expose its fangs.
- The Timber Rattlesnake
Unknown to most people, we certainly have rattlesnakes in Missouri. Due to cinema and a general lack of knowledge, many people erroneously believe that rattlesnakes only live in hot southern climates such as the desert. This is probably the easiest snake to identify due to the signature rattle on its tail, which it uses to send a “back off” message to humans and animals that threaten it. You won’t see too many of these in the summer owing to the fact that they are usually nocturnal. But remain prepared: if you hear a rattling noise when you are walking to your tent at night, exercise caution!
- The Western Pigmy Rattlesnake
This type of rattlesnake has a distinctive indention between their nose and their eye sockets. As a member of the pit viper family, their venom is very dangerous. They are generally small snakes, and they are identified by alternating black and brown spots.
