Snakes in Alabama

Alabama has around 66 recorded species and subspecies of snakes, of which 11 are considered venomous to humans. The remaining 55 are either completely non-venomous or mildly venomous. For instance, the eastern hognose snake is mildly venomous to smaller prey like toads and rarely bites humans.

While one would notice the different snake species throughout the year, they are primarily active in spring from March to April. Their brumation period starts from September through December, when most of the snakes go into hibernation.

The eastern diamondback is the deadliest of all the venomous snakes in Alabama, capable of delivering fatal bites to humans.

Snakes in Alabama (AL)
GroupsVenomousNon-venomous
Rat SnakesBlack Rat Snake
Gray Rat Snake
Corn Snake
King SnakesEastern Kingsnake
Mole Kingsnake
Prairie Kingsnake
Scarlet Kingsnake
Speckled Kingsnake
Red Milk Snake
Eastern Milk Snake
Water SnakesCottonmouth
Florida Cottonmouth
Western Cottonmouth
Eastern Cottonmouth
Midland Watersnake
Plain-bellied Water Snake
Queen Snake
Gulf Saltmarsh Watersnake
Mississippi Green Watersnake
Banded Water Snake
Diamondback Water Snake
Brown Water Snake
Gulf Swampsnake
Plain-bellied Water Snake Florida Green Water Snake
RattlesnakesTimber Rattlesnake
Pigmy Rattlesnake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake
Coral SnakesEastern Coral Snake
Pit VipersCopperhead
Eastern Copperhead
Whip SnakesCoachwhip
Garter SnakesRibbon Snake
Eastern Garter Snake
Pine SnakesBlack Pine Snake
Florida Pine Snake
Northern Pine Snake
Centipede/Flathead/ Blackhead SnakesSoutheastern Crowned Snake
Redbelly Snakes Northern Redbelly Snake
PseudonajaEastern Brown Snake
CemphoraScarlet Snake
CarphophisEastern Worm Snake
ColuberEastern Racer Snake
DiadophisRing-necked Snake
Drymarchon Eastern Indigo Snake
Farancia Mud Snake
Rainbow Snake
Heterodon Eastern Hognose Snake
Southern Hognose Snake
OpheodrysRough Green Snake
PantherophisCorn Snake
Gray Ratsnake
RhadinaeaPine Wood Snake
HaldeaRough Earth Snake
VirginiaSmooth Earth Snake
LiodytesBlack Swamp Snake
Glossy Crayfish Snake

Snakes by Colors and Patterns

Black Snakes: Black Pine Snake, Eastern Racer, Eastern Indigo Snake, Cottonmouth, Ribbon Snake

Gray Snakes: Gray Rat Snake, Eastern Coachwhip,

Green Snakes: Rough Green Snake, Mississippi Green Water Snake, Florida Green Watersnake

Brown Snakes: Eastern Brown Snake, Brown Water Snake, DeKay’s Brown Snake

Snakes by Regions

Snakes in Northern Alabama: Black Rat Snake, Eastern Garter, Black Racer, Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Pigmy Rattlesnake

Snakes in Southern Alabama: Southern Water Snake, Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake

Snakes in Central Alabama: Southern Hognose Snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Eastern Coral Snake

Quick Information

Largest Snake: Eastern Indigo Snake

Smallest Snake: Southeastern Crowned Snake

Most Venomous Snakes: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Cottonmouth

Invasive Snakes: Burmese Python