Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation: Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.
This page lists 48 snakes: 47 from Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH) Herpetology, hosted by the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma's Checklist of Oklahoma Amphibians and Reptiles — Snakes; venom status cross-checked with ODWC Field Guide accounts and ODWC "How to Avoid Unwanted Snake Encounters" and 1 named in other official sources.
8 are venomous by official accounts: Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Western diamondback rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, Prairie rattlesnake, Massasauga, Pygmy rattlesnake and Broad-banded Copperhead. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation gives a total of 49; the 48 here are the snakes official sources name one by one.
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous. … The broad-banded copperhead is one of two copperhead species thought to occur in Oklahoma.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Usually 18 to 30 inches long (New York DEC: 18 to 40 inches, average 27.5). The western massasauga in Arizona reaches only about 22 inches.
How to recognize it
A segmented rattle (a single button in newborns) and vertical, catlike pupils. In Michigan it is the only snake with both.
Nine large plates on top of the head (the timber rattlesnake has many small scales there)
A heat-sensing pit on each side of the head between the eye and nostril; the head is flat and much wider than the neck
What the sources say
Venom: “! Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) N … N - venomous” (Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH) Herpetology, hosted by the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma)
Usually about 3 to 4 feet; Montana gives 15 to 60 inches and NPS says up to 5 feet. Arizona gives a maximum of 28 to 64 inches (excluding rattle) depending on subspecies; in Colorado it is rarely over 39 inches.
How to recognize it
Rattle (or a button in newborns) at the tail tip
Head much broader than the neck, many small scales on top of the head, heat-sensing pit between eye and nostril
Vertical (cat-like) pupils
What the sources say
Venom: “! Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) N … N - venomous” (Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH) Herpetology, hosted by the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma)
Venom: “These venomous rattlesnakes are cryptically colored and usually lie motionless on the forest floor.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Western pygmy rattlesnakes are nearly always associated with forest habitats, including eastern deciduous forest and riparian woodlands. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Most adults 36 to 60 inches (3 to 5 feet); record 74.5 inches.
How to recognize it
Black tail ending in a rattle
Heat-sensing pit between nostril and eye
Large, thick head distinct from the neck; cat-like vertical pupil
What the sources say
Venom: “It is critical to keep in mind that timber rattlesnakes are highly venomous and should not be handled or disturbed.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: The west to east distribution of timber rattlesnakes in the United States extends from central Oklahoma nearly to Maine, and north to south from northern New York to central-east Texas. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
“Being near the top of the food chain is one, but having one of the most deadly bites in the world gives the snake all the reason to act fearsome.” Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Size
Usually about 3.5 to 4.5 feet; Texas says it can reach seven feet. Arizona's maximum is 66 inches excluding the rattle; Saguaro National Park gives a range of 30 to 90 inches.
How to recognize it
Rattle at the end of the tail
Broad triangular head on a slender neck; vertical pupils
Thin light stripe from behind the eye down to the upper lip
Conservation
ODWC field guide status: Species of Greatest Conservation Need
What the sources say
Venom: “The young are born complete with fangs and venom, armed and dangerous at birth, a good thing since the mother abandons them upon delivery.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Living in various habitats ranging from desert flats to river bottoms, the western diamondback spans across most of the southwest part of the United States, including most of Oklahoma. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Adults 42 to 72 inches (3.5 to 6 feet), occasionally to 86 inches (MDC); Michigan adults frequently exceed 6 feet, record over 8 feet.
How to recognize it
Body shaped like a loaf of bread in cross section (flat belly meets the sides at an angle)
Weakly keeled scales, divided anal plate, squarish head
Freezes when approached; may kink its body like a crooked stick
JFMAMJJASOND
90 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Broad-banded watersnakes occur in aquatic habitats across southeastern Oklahoma reaching the central-southern part of the state along the Red River drainage. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
What the sources say
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Broad-banded watersnakes occur in aquatic habitats across southeastern Oklahoma reaching the central-southern part of the state along the Red River drainage. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Most adults 9 to 13 inches; occasionally up to about 20 inches.
How to recognize it
Dark top of head; a dark spot under each eye and on each side of the neck
Keeled (ridged) scales in 17 rows; round pupil
Tennessee: a small dark downward streak on the side of the head
Where in Oklahoma
The Dekay's brownsnake can be found throughout most of Oklahoma, with the exception of the panhandle and the southwestern corner of the state. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
JFMAMJJASOND
39 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “These snakes are harmless to humans.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: The Dekay's brownsnake can be found throughout most of Oklahoma, with the exception of the panhandle and the southwestern corner of the state. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Usually 3 to 6 feet; Arizona's longest snake, up to 92 inches (AZGFD); Missouri record 105 inches
How to recognize it
No rattle: tail tapers to a point
Round pupils; keeled back scales (separates it from the similar glossy snake)
Head somewhat triangular, more so when agitated (so head shape alone is not a safe test)
What the sources say
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Most adults about 42 to 60 inches (3.5 to 5 ft); record 102 inches (8.5 ft). Ranges given by agencies: 41 to 84 in (Louisiana), 36 to 82 in (Oklahoma), adults average 50 to 72 in (Alabama), up to 94 in (NC State Extension), up to 80 in in Colorado and up to 68 in in Arizona.
How to recognize it
Long, slowly tapering tail whose scales look like a braided whip
Venom: “Though non-venomous, the coachwhip will strike quickly at what it believes to be a threat if pressured.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: This species is distributed across the southern half of the United States and found within the entirety of Oklahoma. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Northern diamond-backed watersnakes are harmless to humans.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Northern diamond-backed watersnakes are primarily aquatic but can be found relatively far from obvious bodies of water during heavy rain storms. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Eastern hog-nosed snakes can be found in woodlands, farmlands and sandy areas across all of Oklahoma except the westernmost Panhandle counties. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
What the sources say
Venom: “But it is generally harmless to people.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Eastern hog-nosed snakes can be found in woodlands, farmlands and sandy areas across all of Oklahoma except the westernmost Panhandle counties. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: The gulf crayfish snake is strictly aquatic. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Kansas glossy snakes are harmless to humans.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: The North American distribution of Kansas glossy snakes extends west to east from southwest Texas to central Oklahoma and north to south from east-central Colorado well into Mexico. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Instead of focusing on fish and frogs like other watersnakes, this nonvenomous snake specializes on molting crayfish.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Graham’s crayfish snakes can be found throughout Central Oklahoma and in the Red River drainage. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: The milksnake complex can be found in eastern Oklahoma, areas of southwestern Oklahoma and in part of the Oklahoma Panhandle. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Adults 22 to 42 inches long, occasionally to 59 inches (Missouri). Pennsylvania gives 24 to over 50 inches; females are usually bigger than males.
How to recognize it
Dark crossbands on the front part of the body break up into rows of blotches from the middle of the body to the tail.
Belly white, yellow or orange, usually with dark half-moon-shaped spots.
Keeled (ridged) scales, so it feels rough; round pupils like other nonvenomous snakes in Missouri.
What the sources say
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Plain-bellied watersnakes are harmless to humans.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: In North America, the distribution of these watersnakes extends west to east from southeastern New Mexico to New Jersey and north to south from central Michigan into Mexico. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Photo: Photo Credit: Krista Lundgren/USFWS USFWS Mountain-Prairie · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “These snakes are harmless to humans.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Prairie kingsnakes occur in open prairie habitats with or without rocky outcrops and can also be found in riparian areas that dissect prairie. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Venom: “Eastern racers are harmless to humans.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: In North America, the distribution of eastern racers extends north to south from southern Canada through Montana to southern Texas and west to east from western Montana in the north and central New Mexico to far western Missouri in the east. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Usually 8 to 10 inches; state figures run from about 4 to 16 inches, with a Florida record of 16.6 inches.
How to recognize it
Plain, unmarked red or orange belly.
Three light spots just behind the head, which may fuse into a collar.
Keeled (ridged) scales in 15 rows at midbody and round pupils.
What the sources say
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Usually 8 to 15 inches long; Alabama reports up to about 18 inches, rarely 24. AZGFD gives a maximum of 34 inches for Arizona animals.
How to recognize it
A yellow, cream or orange ring around the neck; it may be incomplete, and some Lower Florida Keys and western Arizona snakes lack it.
Bright yellow to orange or red belly, often with a row of black half-moon spots; the underside of the tail is often red.
Smooth, shiny scales and a small head only slightly wider than the neck.
JFMAMJJASOND
36 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Ring-necked snakes are harmless.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: The distribution of ring-necked snakes in North America extends west to east across the entire United States and north to south from Canada in the east well into Mexico. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Most adults are 14 to 33 inches long (Florida Museum), with a record of 46 inches. Maryland, Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas give 22 to 32 inches. The tail is long and thin, about a third or more of the total length.
How to recognize it
Keeled (ridged) scales in 17 rows, which feel rough; the smooth green snake has smooth scales.
Extremely long, thin tail and round pupils.
Large eyes.
Where in Oklahoma
Rough greensnakes occur throughout most of central and eastern Oklahoma but not in the panhandle or the western one-third of the state. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
JFMAMJJASOND
33 records by month.What the sources say
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: Rough greensnakes occur throughout most of central and eastern Oklahoma but not in the panhandle or the western one-third of the state. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
In Oklahoma, orange-striped ribbonsnakes occur throughout most of the state, with the exception of the far western part of the panhandle. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
What the sources say
Venom: “These snakes are harmless to humans.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: In Oklahoma, orange-striped ribbonsnakes occur throughout most of the state, with the exception of the far western part of the panhandle. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Venom: “Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.” (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
Habitat: In North America, the western wormsnake can be found west to east from central Oklahoma to the western edge of the Mississippi River Valley and north to south from southern Illinois to northern Louisiana. (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)
The copperhead's head is coppery with no marks; the milksnake's head is light with brownish marks (Pennsylvania). Tennessee: copperhead has a copper-colored, unmarked head and triangular shapes on the side of the body. Pennsylvania says the eastern milksnake is the snake most often killed by mistake for a copperhead. Belly colour is not used here: Pennsylvania's own pages describe the copperhead belly two different ways (uniform cream in one account, mottled white to gray in another).
TWRA: the racer lacks the coachwhip's reddish tint along the sides of the tail; an all-black coachwhip is distinctly lighter or reddish toward the rear. Oklahoma: the coachwhip is much larger.
Northern watersnake or Cottonmouth (water moccasin)?
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Cottonmouths are heavier-bodied with a larger, chunky head, a pit between nostril and eye, darker color, and a light line from the eye to the corner of the mouth (Missouri). Cottonmouths have cat-like pupils; watersnakes have round pupils and no facial pit, and seen from above a cottonmouth's eyes are hidden while a watersnake's are visible (Florida Museum). Georgia DNR: banded watersnakes have bands widest on top; banded cottonmouths have bands widest on the sides (hourglass-shaped from above). Cottonmouths float on the water; watersnakes swim with the body just below the surface (Virginia DWR). Cautions from the same agencies: Virginia DWR says some other nonvenomous snakes, such as the eastern hog-nosed snake, also float, and that watersnakes often flatten the head when threatened so it looks diamond-shaped; CDFW says older northern watersnakes can look almost entirely dark brown or black.
Northern watersnake or Copperhead?
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Florida Museum (midland watersnake): the watersnake's crossbands are darker, narrower and much more numerous than a copperhead's and turn into blotches halfway down the body. Watersnakes have round pupils and dark vertical lines near the mouth; copperheads have no such lines.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When snakes are active in Oklahoma
Records of snakes in Oklahoma peak in April to June and September. They show when people record snakes, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
754 records of snakes in Oklahoma by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
In western Oklahoma ODWC staff find snakes year-round; September-October is the most hazardous time there as snakes head back to dens and young are born. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences:
Report wildlife sightings (including mountain lions and bears) to ODWC online at wildlifedepartment.com/wildlife/report-wildlife; report suspected invasive aquatic species to ODWC at (918) 200-4815 or online. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
About Us. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Checklist of Oklahoma Amphibians and Reptiles. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH) Herpetology, hosted by the Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma. PDF created 2014-09-09, modified 2016-06-06; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“! Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) N … N - venomous”
“! Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) N … N - venomous”
“Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous.”
“Oklahoma’s snake diversity includes 49 species, the large majority of which are considered nonvenomous. Beyond this bulk of ratsnakes, watersnakes, and less familiar species, the remaining eight species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth are in the pit viper family and are considered venomous. … The broad-banded copperhead is one of two copperhead species thought to occur in Oklahoma.”
“If you’re concerned about a bite or are bitten by a venomous snake, seek medical attention.”
“If a copperhead or other snake is encountered, Allen recommends backing several feet away and enjoying the view.”
“‘To me, that September through October timeframe is the most hazardous time in our area. Snakes are getting ready to go back to the den. And they’ve also just had a bunch of little snakes.”
Copperhead (ODWC Field Guide). Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“And the copperhead is one of those venomous species.”
“Copperheads are mostly nocturnal during summer but are usually active during daylight in spring and fall. The mating season lasts from February to May and late August to October.”
“Ringed-neck snakes could be confused with the flat-headed snake, but flat-headed snakes have no neck ring, are lighter in color and have a pink belly with no spots.”
Oklahoma Poison Center Urges Caution During Snake Season. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy (Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information). Published: Thursday, April 30, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Call the Oklahoma Poison Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.”
“Snake bites are more common than many people realize, especially during the spring and summer months,”
Spring Brings Snake Bite Calls to the Poison Center. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences (Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information). Published: Wednesday, April 13, 2022; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“DO NOT handle or play with snakes. Even dead snakes can bite reflexively. … Watch where you step and place your hands when outdoors.”
Aquatic Nuisance Species. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“If you think you have discovered any invasive species contact us at (918) 200-4815 or report online.”