Snakes in Iowa
Iowa has around 28 snake species, with five of them being venomous. Most venomous snakes, like the timber rattlesnakes and massasaugas found in the southern and eastern parts, are rare. The gopher snake is the largest, measuring between 37 and 72 inches, reaching a maximum length of about 100 inches.
| Group | Venomous | Non-Venomous |
|---|---|---|
| Rattle Snakes | Timber Rattlesnake Prairie Rattlesnake Eastern Massasauga Western Massasauga | – |
| Pit Vipers | Eastern Copperhead | – |
| Water Snakes | Plainbelly Water Snake Diamondback Water Snake Common Water Snake | |
| Kingsnakes | – | Prairie Kingsnake Speckled Kingsnake Eastern Milk Snake |
| Hognose Snakes | – | Plains Hog-nosed Snake Eastern Hog-nosed Snake |
| Garter Snakes | – | Plains Garter Snake Common Garter Snake Western Ribbon Snake |
| Opheodrys | – | Smooth Green Snake |
| Regina | – | Graham’s Crayfish Snake |
| Storeria | – | DeKay’s Brown Snake Redbelly Snake |
| Pantherophis | Western Fox Snake Black Rat Snake | |
| Carphophis | Western Worm Snake | |
| Coluber | Eastern Racer | |
| Diadophis | – | Ring-necked Snake |
| Pituophis | – | Gopher Snake |
| Tropidoclonion | – | Lined Snake |
| Virginia | – | Smooth Earth Snake |
Snakes by Colors and Patterns
Brown Snakes: DeKay’s Brown Snake, Common Garter Snake, Plains Garter Snake
Black Snakes: Black Rat Snake
Snakes by Region
Snakes in Northern Iowa: Smooth Green Snake
Snakes in Southern Iowa: Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga, Western Massasauga, Speckled Kingsnake
Quick Information
Largest Snake: Gopher Snake
Smallest Snake: DeKay’s Brownsnake
Most Venomous Snakes: Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga, Western Massasauga
