South Dakota snakes: ID chart

17 snakes, 1 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.

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The venomous snake comes first: Prairie Rattlesnake. The rest follow from A to Z, each with a photo where we have one and a short note on where it lives in South Dakota. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the South Dakota snakes page for photos, range and sources.

Prairie Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

Venomous

Black Hills Redbelly Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata pahasapae

Non-venomous

Brown Snake

Storeria dekayi

Non-venomous

Common Gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Non-venomous

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Non-venomous

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Non-venomous

Lined Snake

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Non-venomous

Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Non-venomous

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Non-venomous

Northern Redbelly Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata

Non-venomous

Northern Water Snake

Nerodia sipedon

Non-venomous

Plains Gartersnake

Thamnophis radix

Non-venomous

Plains Hognose Snake

Heterodon nasicus

Non-venomous

Ringneck Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Non-venomous

Smooth Green Snake

Opheodrys vernalis

Non-venomous

Terrestrial Gartersnake

Thamnophis elegans

Non-venomous

Western Foxsnake

Pantherophis ramspotti

Non-venomous

A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Amphibians and Reptiles checklist (South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks); Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus virdidis) - Jewel Cave National Monument (National Park Service); Prairie Rattlesnakes in the Badlands (National Park Service). stateswildlife.com/south-dakota/snakes/