Texas vs. Mississippi: Which State Has More Venomous Snakes?

Having more poisonous snakes isn’t precisely something to extol. But at least it produces intriguing mixer discussion (there’s constantly a lot of snake-talk at those things). Before we think about whether the Lone Star State or the Magnolia State is primary in venom, let’s think about the state of snakes in the United Snakes—er, the United States.

Venomous Snakes Live Throughout the United States

The U.S.A. is home to about 50 various types of snakes, and they’re discovered in the wild in every state however Alaska. Almost all states have at least one poisonous types, the exceptions being Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, and Rhode Island. But the southern and southwestern part of the nation is congenial to a broader range of types, with varied environments that can support various types. It’s difficult to get a precise population count for snakes; they’re great at concealing. However, one source approximates that Texas has one of the most of them, with an approximated 800,000 slithery citizens. Florida is available in 2nd with a count of 600,000. The next a lot of snake-rich states, Arkansas, Georgia, and Louisiana, are likewise in the south.

Four Types of poisonous snakes are Native to the U.S.

Copperhead snakes are masters of camouflage, with colors and patterns that allow them to mix in with a rocky, leafy, or sandy background. Because they’re difficult to find, and tend to bite without caution, copperheads bite individuals regularly than almost any other snake types. Fortunately their venom is fairly weak, though the bite hurts.

Cottonmouth snakes are likewise called water moccasins. They spend a great deal of time in water, the only poisonous snake in the U.S. to do so.

Rattlesnakes notoriously shake their tails to produce a buzzing, rattling caution when they feel threatened. Their rattle is comprised of loose sectors of skin that knock versus each other when the tail vibrates.

Coral snakes can be acknowledged by their intense bands of black, red, and yellow (which can be a pale yellow or white in the southwestern U.S.). Unlike the above 3 snakes, the coral snake cannot contract its fangs. They have the second-strongest venom of any snake, however it’s challenging for the small-mouthed snake to permeate human skin. The bite is exceptionally uncomfortable, however, and constantly a cause to look for medical attention.

Species of all 4 poisonous types are discovered in both Texas and Mississippi. But which area has the higher number of poisonous types? Let’s compare, to figure out which state has more poisonous snakes.

The State of Texas is Home to 15 Venomous Snake Species

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, you’ll discover 15 types of poisonous snakes there (basically; the specific count depends upon which subspecies are counted independently). Rattlesnakes appear especially keen on the Lone Star state; 10 various types of rattlers make their home there. The complete lineup is: 3 subspecies of copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), one cottonmouth subspecies (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma, the western cottonmouth), one coral snake (Micrurus fulvius tener, the Texas coral snake), and the previously mentioned 10 rattlesnake types (2 are massasauga types, genus Sistrurus; the rest remain in the Crotalus genus.) Let’s take a better take a look at a few of the noteworthy poisonous snakes of Texas.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

This renowned rattler is the most typical, a lot of prevalent poisonous snake in the state of Texas. The snake is almost cinematic in its look, with a thick body, a diamond-shaped pattern running along its back, and significant black and white bands above the tail. Speaking of which, that tail can return and forth 60 times per 2nd or more when the diamondback rattles its rattle.

Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma)

Cottomouths get their name from the white interior of their mouths, which they’ll widen when they feel threatened. They choose wet environments like swamps, marshes, and rivers, where they can eat fish. Cottonmouths likewise consume other snakes, consisting of each other!

The State of Mississippi is Home to 6 Venomous Snake Species

Which implies, sorry Mississippi, Texas has you beat. Or should that be congratulations? Does anyone actually desire the honor of having an abundance of poisonous snakes? In any case, the 6 poisonous snakes in Mississippi are the copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), the pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarus), the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), the canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), and the coral snake (Micrurus fulvius). If those names appear familiar, you’re right. All of them or a comparable relative in many cases, are likewise discovered in Texas.

Let’s fulfill a few of the poisonous snakes of Mississippi.

Canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Also called the lumber rattlesnake, this rattler is prevalent in the eastern half of the U.S. They’re discovered as far north as New York and as far south as Florida. In Mississippi, lumber rattlers tend to be discovered in the forests and river bottoms of the state. They’re not really aggressive, and a lot of bites take place when human beings attempt to technique or manage them, rather of letting the snake alone.

Coral snake (Micrurus fulvius)

These snakes are unusual to uncommon in Mississippi, and tend to conceal from individuals. Some nonvenomous snake types have a red/black/yellow band pattern that looks like the coral snake. But just in coral snakes are the red and yellow bands side by side. To bear in mind that, consider the red and yellow colors of a traffic signal being together, or keep in mind the rhyme “red and yellow, kill a fellow.” Better yet, keep your range from any snake in the wild, and it will likely go its own method.

Venomous Snakes In Texas and Mississippi

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