List of snakes of Kentucky facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Kentucky is home to many different types of snakes. These amazing creatures play an important role in nature. Some snakes you might find in Kentucky are venomous, meaning they can inject venom (a special kind of poison) if they bite. Others are non-venomous and are harmless to humans, though they might still bite if they feel scared. It's always best to watch snakes from a distance and never try to touch them.

Venomous Snakes in Kentucky
Non-Venomous Snakes in Kentucky
- Common Non-Venomous Snakes
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Venomous Snakes in Kentucky

In Kentucky, there are four main types of venomous snakes. It's important to know about them so you can stay safe. These snakes use their venom to catch food and protect themselves.

Copperhead

A Copperhead snake.

The Copperhead is a common venomous snake. It has a unique pattern that looks like hourglass shapes. These snakes often blend in with fallen leaves on the forest floor. They usually grow to be about 2 to 3 feet long. Copperheads are known to be shy and will try to hide if they sense danger.

Timber Rattlesnake

A Timber Rattlesnake.

The Timber Rattlesnake is a large, heavy-bodied snake. It has a rattle at the end of its tail that it shakes to warn you if you get too close. These snakes can be found in rocky, wooded areas. They can grow quite long, sometimes over 5 feet. Timber Rattlesnakes are usually shy and prefer to avoid people.

Northern Cottonmouth

A young Northern Cottonmouth.

The Northern Cottonmouth is also known as a "water moccasin." It lives near water, like swamps, ponds, and slow-moving streams. When threatened, it might open its mouth wide to show the white inside, which looks like cotton. This is a warning sign. They are strong swimmers and can be found both in and out of the water.

Western Pigmy Rattlesnake

A Western Pigmy Rattlesnake.

The Western Pigmy Rattlesnake is much smaller than the Timber Rattlesnake. Its rattle is tiny and makes a sound like a buzzing insect. These snakes are often hard to spot because of their small size and camouflage. They prefer open woodlands and rocky areas.

Non-Venomous Snakes in Kentucky

Most snakes in Kentucky are non-venomous. This means they do not have venom and are not dangerous to humans. They are important for controlling pests like mice and insects. Many of these snakes are quite beautiful and interesting to observe from a distance.

Common Non-Venomous Snakes

Black Kingsnake: The Black Kingsnake is a shiny black snake. It is known for eating other snakes, including venomous ones! They are often found in forests and open fields.
Black Racer: The Black Racer is a fast-moving, slender black snake. It hunts during the day and can climb trees. They are very quick and often escape before you even see them clearly.
Black Rat Snake: The Black Rat Snake is a common snake that can grow very long. They are excellent climbers and often found in barns or old buildings looking for rodents.
Broad-Banded Water Snake: The Broad-Banded Water Snake lives near water. It has dark bands across its body. People sometimes confuse it with the venomous cottonmouth, but it is harmless.
Brown Snake: The Brown Snake is a very small, shy snake. It is usually brown or gray with small dark spots. They like to hide under rocks, logs, and leaf litter.
Copperbelly Water Snake: The Copperbelly Water Snake is a dark snake with a reddish-orange belly. It lives near water and is non-venomous.
Corn Snake: The Corn Snake has beautiful orange and red patterns. They are often kept as pets because of their calm nature and pretty colors. They are good at climbing.
Diamondback Water Snake: The Diamondback Water Snake has a pattern that looks like connected diamonds. It is a large water snake that eats fish and frogs.
Eastern Garter Snake: The Eastern Garter Snake is one of the most common snakes. It has stripes down its back and can be found in many different habitats, even in gardens.
Eastern Hognose Snake: The Eastern Hognose Snake has a unique upturned snout. When threatened, it might flatten its head to look like a cobra or even play dead!
Eastern Ribbon Snake: The Eastern Ribbon Snake is thin and has three light stripes. It looks a lot like a garter snake but is more slender. It prefers wet areas.
Kirtland's Snake: The Kirtland's Snake is a rare, small snake with a reddish belly and dark spots. It lives in wet meadows and woodlands.
Milk Snake: The Milk Snake has colorful bands of red, black, and yellow or white. Its pattern can sometimes look like a venomous coral snake, but it is harmless.
Mississippi Green Water Snake: The Mississippi Green Water Snake is a large, greenish-brown snake that lives in slow-moving water.
Northern Pine Snake: The Northern Pine Snake is a large, powerful snake. It can make a loud hiss when it feels threatened. They are often found in sandy, forested areas.
Northern Redbelly Snake: The Northern Redbelly Snake is a tiny snake with a bright red or orange belly. It likes to hide under logs and rocks.
Northern Water Snake: The Northern Water Snake is a common snake found near almost any body of water. It has dark bands or blotches and can be mistaken for a cottonmouth.
Prairie Kingsnake: The Prairie Kingsnake has blotches on its back and lives in grasslands and open woodlands. Like other kingsnakes, it eats rodents and other snakes.
Queen Snake: The Queen Snake is a slender snake that mostly eats crayfish. It lives near clear streams and rivers.
Ringneck Snake: The Ringneck Snake is a small, dark snake with a bright yellow or orange ring around its neck. When scared, it might coil its tail to show its colorful belly.
Rough Green Snake: The Rough Green Snake is a very slender, bright green snake. It lives in bushes and trees and eats insects like grasshoppers. It is very hard to spot among leaves.
Scarlet Kingsnake: The Scarlet Kingsnake is a beautiful snake with red, black, and yellow bands. It looks very similar to the venomous coral snake, but its band pattern is different.
Scarlet Snake: The Scarlet Snake is a small, colorful snake with red, black, and yellow bands. It is a burrowing snake and is rarely seen above ground.
Smooth Earth Snake: The Smooth Earth Snake is a small, plain brown or gray snake. It lives underground or under logs and eats earthworms and slugs.
Southeastern Crowned Snake: The Southeastern Crowned Snake is a small, slender snake with a dark head that looks like a crown. It lives in forests and eats small invertebrates.
Western Mud Snake: The Western Mud Snake is a large, shiny black snake with a red or pink belly. It lives in swamps and eats salamanders and eels.
Western Ribbon Snake: The Western Ribbon Snake is similar to the Eastern Ribbon Snake but has slightly different markings. It also prefers wet habitats.
Worm Snake: The Worm Snake is a small, burrowing snake that looks like a large earthworm. It is pinkish-brown and lives underground, eating worms and soft-bodied insects.