Louisiana has 7 venomous snakes named by official sources: Eastern Copperhead, Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Harlequin Coralsnake, Northern Cottonmouth, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake and Texas Coralsnake, as labelled by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. This guide covers 10 animal groups from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) lists and other official sources, with photos, venomous status and when each group is active.
Identification help has limits: a photo cannot confirm that an animal is safe. Watch from a distance and never handle a wild animal.
These are the animals official sources describe as venomous or as a risk to people in Louisiana, across 5 groups. The reason is given in the source's own terms.
Medically significant venomous spider (LSU AgCenter): “Recluse spiders are among the few medically significant spiders in the southern U.S. (widow spiders, Latrodectus spp., are the other).”
Painful bite and irritating urticating hairs when cornered (LDWF): “Although much more prone to flee and hide than attack, when cornered, this species can inflict a painful bite and may fling urticating hairs, which are irritating to skin and dangerous if cast into …”
Disease: “All species of mammals are susceptible to classical rabies, but only a few species are considered important reservoirs, such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.”
Disease: “All species of mammals are susceptible to classical rabies, but only a few species are considered important reservoirs, such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.”
Disease: “All species of mammals are susceptible to classical rabies, but only a few species are considered important reservoirs, such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.”
Disease: “All species of mammals are susceptible to classical rabies, but only a few species are considered important reservoirs, such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.”
Disease: “All species of mammals are susceptible to classical rabies, but only a few species are considered important reservoirs, such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.”
Disease: “All species of mammals are susceptible to classical rabies, but only a few species are considered important reservoirs, such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.”
64 nonnative animals are named on Louisiana's official lists (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries). The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records 5 nonnative animals in our groups with an established population in Louisiana.
Island Apple Snail or Maculata Apple Snail Pomacea maculata
Darker cells are the months with more open-licence observation records of each group in Louisiana (GBIF). They show when people see and record these animals, not how many there are. The current month, this month, is highlighted.
Report: Nuisance alligators: contact an LDWF field office, or Operation Game Thief 800-442-2511 after hours and weekends. Sick/injured/stranded sea turtles or marine mammals: 844-SEA-TRTL (844-732-8785). Rabies: Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, 1-800-256-2748. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Yes. LDWF's field guide lists six venomous species (Eastern Copperhead, Harlequin Coralsnake, Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Northern Cottonmouth, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake); the LDWF 2022 poster also shows the Texas Coralsnake under "Venomous Snakes". Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Are there water moccasins (cottonmouths) in Louisiana?
Rarely. LDWF lists the Harlequin Coralsnake as venomous and says there have been no confirmed Louisiana records since the 1980s; the 2025 SWAP says it "may be extirpated from the state". The LDWF 2022 Snakes of Louisiana poster also shows the Texas Coralsnake under "Venomous Snakes" (no Louisiana range given). Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Are there rattlesnakes in Louisiana?
Yes. LDWF lists Timber, Pygmy and Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes as venomous. LDWF says there are no more than eight verifiable Eastern Diamond-backed records in Louisiana (last in 1995) and ranks it S1; the 2025 SWAP says it "may be extirpated from the state". Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Burmese, Reticulated and Ball Pythons appear on LDWF's 2025 Invasive Species List (Tier 3); the list defines Tiers 1-4 as non-native species currently known to occur in Louisiana. No locations or population sizes are given. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries · More
“Move from hibernation sites to summer foraging grounds in mid-spring and return to winter quarters in late summer and early fall; most often observed during these periods of travel.”
“Louisiana hosts a remarkable diversity of birds, with 493 species documented within the state's boundaries and adjacent waters (Conover and Dittmann 2025), including over 160 breeding species”
“Island Apple Snail or Maculata Apple Snail Pomacea maculata”
“Argentine Ant Linepithema humile”
“Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta”
“Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella”
“Common Carp Cyprinus carpio”
“Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix”
“Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis”
“Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus”
“Ursus americanus luteolus Louisiana Black Bear G5T2 S3”
“Although much more prone to flee and hide than attack, when cornered, this species can inflict a painful bite and may fling urticating hairs, which are irritating to skin and dangerous if cast into the eyes.”
“Kissing bugs are of medical concern due to their ability to vector to humans the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi”
Feral Hogs. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“In addition, feral hogs carry several diseases, some which can infect humans.”
“Feral hogs are found in all 64 parishes in Louisiana, and Louisiana’s feral hog population is currently estimated at 700,000.”
Injured and Orphaned Wildlife. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“All species of mammals are susceptible to classical rabies, but only a few species are considered important reservoirs, such as bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.”
Louisiana BearWise. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Running may trigger an attack.”
“Never feed or approach bears.”
Nuisance Alligators. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (7)
“Operation Game Thief: 800-442-2511 / (for nuisance alligator reports after hours and on weekends)”
“If you see an alligator in a roadway, yard, or other unexpected place, DO NOT attempt to move it. It is dangerous and illegal for the general public to handle or possess alligators.”
“Don’t feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans when fed.”
“View and photograph wild alligators from a safe distance of at least 50 feet.”
“Don’t swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.”
“In spring and summer, alligators move to breed or find new habitat.”
“During the summer, some nesting females won’t retreat and will attempt to protect their nest.”
Alligator. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Louisiana’s wild alligator population has increased from less than 100,000 to more than 3 million in the past 50 years.”
Snake Species Field Guide. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Venomous Snake Species”
Outlaw Quadrupeds. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Outlaw quadrupeds include the feral hog, an invasive species which has caused severe crop and land damage throughout the state, as well coyotes and armadillos.”
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