List of snakes of South Dakota facts for kids

Snakes are amazing reptiles that live all over the world, and South Dakota is home to many different kinds! These snakes play important roles in their environments, from helping to control pests to being a food source for other animals. Most snakes in South Dakota are harmless to humans, but it's always best to observe them from a distance.

This guide will introduce you to some of the fascinating snakes you might find slithering around South Dakota. You'll learn about their sizes, colors, where they live, and what makes each one special.

Snakes of South Dakota

Brown Snake

The brown snake, known scientifically as Storeria dekayi, is a small snake. It usually grows to be about 8 to 15 inches long. This snake is typically greyish-brown or reddish-brown. It has a light stripe down its back, which is bordered by dark spots. You might also notice dark markings near its eyes. In South Dakota, the brown snake has mostly been seen in eastern Roberts County. Its presence there is now uncertain, as the last official sighting was in 1922.

A brown snake, showing its typical coloration.

Bullsnake

The bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer) is one of the larger snakes in South Dakota. It can grow quite long, from 36 to 72 inches! These snakes are usually yellowish with brown or black blotches. Near their tail, these blotches often look like rings. Bullsnakes are found in many parts of South Dakota. They live west of the Missouri River, in counties next to the river's east bank, and across southeastern and central South Dakota.

A bullsnake, a large snake found in South Dakota.

Common Garter Snake

Sometimes called the "red-sided garter snake," the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is found all over South Dakota. It's a medium-sized snake, typically 15 to 28 inches long. This snake is easy to spot with its bright yellow or orange stripe down the middle of its back. It also has a yellow or orange stripe along each side. Black spots on a red background can often be seen along its sides too.

A common garter snake with its distinctive stripes.

Eastern Hognose Snake

The eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) lives in the very southeastern edge of South Dakota. It measures about 20 to 33 inches long. This snake has a slightly upturned snout, which helps it dig in the dirt. Its color can vary a lot, but it usually has dark blotches down the center of its back. It also has alternating spots on each side.

An eastern hognose snake, known for its upturned snout.

Fox Snake

The fox snake (Elaphe vulpina) is found in far southeastern South Dakota. These snakes are quite long, usually between 36 and 54 inches. They are yellowish to light brown in color. You can easily recognize them by their bold, dark blotches along their bodies.

A fox snake, showing its blotched pattern.

Lined Snake

The lined snake (Tropidoclonion lineatum) is a smaller snake, growing to about 9 to 15 inches. It's found in far southeastern South Dakota. This snake is typically grey or brown. It has three pale stripes: one runs along its back, and one runs along each side of its body.

A lined snake, named for its stripes.

Milk Snake

Milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are a type of kingsnake. They are known for their striking patterns of red, orange, black, yellow, and white bands. They typically grow to be 16 to 28 inches long.

Pale Milk Snake

The pale milk snake subspecies (Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata) is found west of the Missouri River in South Dakota. It also lives in counties next to the river's east bank. This snake has red and orange blotches bordered with black. These blotches are separated by yellow or white bands. Its head is orange with small black flecks.

Red Milk Snake

The red milk snake subspecies (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila) lives in far southeastern South Dakota. Like the pale milk snake, it has red and orange blotches bordered with black. These are separated by yellow or white bands. The main difference is that the red milk snake has a red head and snout.

A red milk snake, showing its vibrant colors.

Plains Garter Snake

The plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) is common throughout South Dakota. It's a medium-sized snake, usually 20 to 28 inches long. It has a bright yellow or orange stripe down the middle of its back. Along each side, it has a yellow or orange stripe with an alternating row of dark spots. Its head is typically dark.

A plains garter snake.

Plains Hognose Snake

The plains hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) is found all over South Dakota. It's about 15 to 25 inches long. This snake has a very sharply upturned snout, even more so than the eastern hognose snake. It has dark blotches along the center and sides of its body. Its underside is usually blackish.

A plains hognose snake, known for its very upturned snout.

Prairie Rattlesnake

The prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is South Dakota's only venomous snake. It's important to be careful around them. Their bite can be dangerous, so it's best to stay far away. These snakes are found west of the Missouri River and in counties next to its east bank. They are 30 to 45 inches long. You can easily identify them by the rattle segments at the end of their tail. They are light brown to greenish in color and have a triangular-shaped head. They also have special heat-sensing pits below their eyes and nostrils.

A prairie rattlesnake, identifiable by its rattle.

Racer

Sometimes called the "blue racer," the racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) is found west of the Missouri River and in counties next to its east bank. Adults are 30 to 50 inches long and are blue to greenish in color with a bright yellow belly. Young racers look different, with a patterned body that has blotches, spots, and speckles.

A blue racer snake.

Redbelly Snake

The redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) is a slender snake, usually 8 to 11 inches long. It has a grey, brown, or reddish-brown body with a white chin and, as its name suggests, a red belly. It also has light spots on its neck and faint light stripes along its back.

Black Hills Redbelly Snake

The Black Hills redbelly snake subspecies (Storeria occipitomaculata pahasapae) is found within the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Northern Redbelly Snake

The northern redbelly snake subspecies (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) is found in extreme eastern South Dakota.

A northern redbelly snake, showing its red belly.

Ringneck Snake

The ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus) lives in far southeastern South Dakota. It's a small snake, typically 10 to 15 inches long. Its upper body is dark (black or grey). It has a yellow or orange belly with black spots. The most distinctive feature is a bright yellow or yellow-orange ring around its neck.

A ringneck snake with its characteristic neck band.

Smooth Green Snake

The smooth green snake (Liochlorophis vernalis) is a small and slender snake, about 14 to 20 inches long. It has a uniformly green upper body, head, and tail, with a whitish belly. It's found in separate areas of far northeastern and far southeastern South Dakota, and also in the Black Hills.

A smooth green snake, known for its bright green color.

Wandering Garter Snake

The wandering garter snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) is found in the Black Hills. It grows to be about 18 to 30 inches long. This snake is usually dull brown to greenish in color. It has a yellow or orange stripe down the middle of its back and on each side. Its head is brown with yellow spots, and it has black bars on its lips.

A wandering garter snake.

Water Snake

Sometimes called the "northern water snake," the water snake (Nerodia sipedon) lives in southern river and wetland areas of Bon Homme County, near Springfield. It's a medium to large snake, 24 to 42 inches long. It's dark brown to grey. The front part of its body has dark upper bands, while the rear part has alternating dark blotches or crossbands. Young water snakes are lighter in color.

A northern water snake.