Discover 11 Brown Snakes Slithering Across Alabama (4 Are Venomous)

Situated in the southeastern location of the United States, the state of Alabama is understood for having an abundant and varied community, with mountain valleys, rivers, forests, and a seaside plain. These environments all offer the ideal location for animals to prosper, as appears by the variety of snakes in the state. There are 43 various types and 6 of these are poisonous, with differing levels of risk. Although some snakes are brilliant and loaded with color — such as the milk snake — others are far more hard to find as they are camouflaged by their color. Let’s have a look at the brown snakes in Alabama that you may experience, and learn where they live and what they appear like.

1. Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster)

The very first snake on our list is the meadow kingsnake, which is likewise called the yellow-bellied kingsnake. Prairie kingsnakes are 30 to 40 inches long with a light brown-to-tan body and darker areas. Their stomach is light grey or white however has dark-colored markings on them. Prairie kingsnakes populate meadows and pine flatwoods in the northern area of the state. There are likewise some populations spread around the Tennessee River. Prairie kingsnakes are relatively placid snakes and seldom ever bite even when threatened. They are not poisonous however can simulate a rattlesnake by moving their tail around in the leaves.

2. Diamond-Backed Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer)

Next up is the diamond-backed water snake, which is the very first of numerous water snakes in the state. Diamond-backed water snakes are normally 30 to 48 inches long, although longer specimens are not unusual. They have dark, greenish-brown bodies which are overlaid with a series of dark brown markings in the shape of diamonds. Diamond-backed water snakes reside in slow-moving bodies of water in the western half of the state — especially around the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers. They are typically active throughout the daytime hours and take advantage of a range of fish and frogs. Although they are not poisonous and choose to get away in the face of misfortune, they are extremely aggressive if they are caught and will bite consistently.

3. Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

The eastern copperhead is the very first of 4 poisonous snakes on our list. Unfortunately, eastern copperheads are among the most often come across poisonous snakes in the state and reside in forests, forests, overload edges, and hillsides. They are 24 to 36 inches long and have pinkish-tan bodies with reddish-brown hourglass-shaped crossbands. Copperheads take advantage of a wide variety of mammals, birds, and amphibians. Fortunately, they have relatively weak venom and are not naturally aggressive snakes. However, any bite from them must still be dealt with as major.

4. Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)

An especially little snake in Alabama is the southeastern crowned snake. These snakes are just 8 to 10 inches long. Southeastern crowned snakes have brown bodies however unique black heads and necks. They likewise have a brown ring that separates the black end of their head and neck. Southeastern crowned snakes are shy snakes and choose dry forests and forests with well-drained soil so that they can quickly burrow into it. They are still extensive throughout Alabama however their numbers are believed to be decreasing. They are not poisonous and for that reason victim primarily on worms and termites.

5. Brown Water Snake (Nerodia taxispilota)

Next, we have the brown water snake which happens in the southeastern area of the state. They mostly take advantage of fish and reside in slow-moving bodies of water such as rivers, creeks, lakes, and swamps. Brown water snakes are big snakes at 30 to 60 inches long and have brown bodies with dark brown square-shaped areas along their back. They likewise have smaller sized areas along their sides and a yellow-colored stomach with brown markings. They are misinterpreted for cottonmouths, however they are not poisonous. Additionally, brown water snakes choose to get away back into the water if they are approached. However, if they are caught, then they might bite as a last hope.

6. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Timber rattlesnakes are the next poisonous brown snake in Alabama to stress over. They are 3 to 5 feet long with black or dark brown crossbands. However, often they can have a darker ground color with black marks, that make the whole snake seem black. Timber rattlesnakes happen statewide. Additionally, they normally reside in forests and on rocky hillsides. Although they don’t have an especially aggressive nature, they are considered as extremely hazardous as they have long fangs and a high venom yield.

7. Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)

With a flattened head and thickened scales on the top of their head and beneath their chin, queen snakes are distinctively adjusted to their environment. This is due to the fact that they reside in shallow ponds, streams, and rivers and take advantage of crayfish, which they often hunt out in between rocks. Queen snakes are normally 14 to 23 inches long and are brown with 4 darker stripes on their stomach. They likewise have faint stripes on their upper body which are more visible when they are young. Queen snakes happen throughout most of the state, with the exception of the seaside plain to the west of the Tombigbee river and the southern area of Baldwin County.

8. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

The next poisonous snake is the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, which is likewise among the biggest brown snakes in Alabama and the biggest rattlesnake types at 3 to 7 feet long. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are light brown with approximately 35 dark brown diamonds on their body. Progressing even more towards the tail the diamondbacks ultimately end up being crossbands. Proportionate to their length, eastern diamondbacks have the longest fangs of any rattlesnake in addition to a high venom yield. In addition, eastern diamondbacks happen throughout the seaside plain in the severe southern area of the state.

9. Rough Earth Snake (Virginia striatula)

With the exception of the Interior Plateau, rough earth snakes happen almost statewide in Alabama. Rough earth snakes populate forests and are hardly ever viewed as they spend much of their time concealing in the leaf litter or beneath logs and rocks. They are little snakes at just 7 to 10 inches long with slim bodies. They are totally brown and do not have any distinguishing pattern. Rough earth snakes have actually keeled dorsal scales which is the primary distinction in between them and smooth earth snakes, which likewise happen in the state. They victim primarily on slugs and earthworms and are not poisonous.

10. Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

We’ve already discussed numerous non-venomous water snakes, now it’s the turn of the poisonous cottonmouth, which is the snake they are usually incorrect for. Cottonmouths are semi-aquatic and reside in practically any freshwater environment throughout Alabama. They are 30 to 42 inches long and are dark brown with darker brown to black crossband markings. They likewise have a brilliant white lining inside their mouth which looks like cotton — thus their name. Cottonmouths take advantage of a range of animals both in and out of the water, which are killed by envenomation. Cottonmouths have cytotoxic venom and represent just around 1% of all deadly snake bites in the United States every year. However, their venom is still strong enough to trigger major tissue damage unless antivenom is administered within 2 hours of the bite taking place.

11. Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum)

The last brown snake in Alabama we happen the coachwhip snake, which is called due to the fact that of the special look that makes it appear like a braided coachwhip. Coachwhips are long, slim snakes and can reach around 7 feet. They have smooth scales and a black head and neck, which slowly fade to tan at their tail. Coachwhips normally reside in dry environments — such as meadows, rocky hillsides, scrubland, chaparral, and pine flatwoods. However, although they happen statewide their numbers are decreasing in the northern area. Coachwhips take advantage of a wide variety of mammals, birds, snakes, and lizards. They are not poisonous and swallow their victim alive, utilizing their rows or sharp, inward-pointing teeth to comprehend it.

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