If you are interested by snakes or wish to prevent them at all expenses, you may be curious to understand which rivers in Mississippi have the most snake activity. Mississippi is home to more than 30 snake types, some poisonous and some safe.
Many snakes are marine or semi-aquatic, indicating they live near or in the water. In this short article, we will check out a few of the most snake-infested rivers in Mississippi based upon reports and observations from residents and specialists.
We will likewise inform you what type of snakes you can anticipate to discover in these rivers and how to remain safe if you experience them. Whether you are a snake fan or a snake hater, you will discover this short article useful and interesting.
So, let’s dive into the world of Mississippi’s crawling locals and discover the most snake-infested rivers in the state.
Water Snakes Found in Mississippi
There are numerous types of water snakes discovered in Mississippi. Some of these are poisonous, however a lot of are entirely safe to individuals. Here are a few of the most typical and identifiable types:
Diamondback Watersnake
The Diamondback Watersnake is a non-venomous snake throughout the main United States and northern Mexico. It’s especially popular in the Mississippi River valley. It’s a big snake, rising to 60 inches. Therefore, it can be quite frightening. However, it’s entirely safe to individuals.
As its name recommends, it’s most widely known for the black diamond pattern along its back. It eats a range of marine animals, consisting of fish and frogs. While it is incorrect for the cottonmouth routinely, you can discriminate due to the rounded students and slim head.
The Diamondback watersnake is active throughout the day and night, depending upon the season and temperature level. It likes to bask on branches or rocks near the water and will drop into the water if interrupted.
Northern Watersnake
The Northern watersnake is another non-venomous snake that’s discovered in Mississippi. It has a gray or dark brown body with dark crossbands or spots. Its markings tend to end up being faded with age, permitting you to identify the age of the snake. It grows to about 50 inches long and has a rather slim head.
Like most watersnakes, it eats amphibians, fish, and other little animals. It’s typically incorrect for the cottonmouth, as it hangs out in the water. However, it doesn’t have heat-sensing pits and is far more slim.
This snake is active throughout the day and night. It generally holds on branches and rocks near the water, dropping if interrupted. It can be aggressive if cornered or managed however is usually really safe.
Saltmarsh Snake
©Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock.com
There are 3 subspecies of saltmarsh snake. The Gulf salt marsh snake is the types discovered in Mississippi, however. It usually has a gray to dark brown body with darker stripes or bands. They may be broken up into blotches, as well.
This snake grows up to 30 inches, making it smaller than most snakes. It is also rather slender and has very rounded pupils, like most non-venomous snakes. It feeds on fish, crustaceans, and other small aquatic animals and kills them by constriction. You can tell it apart from a cottonmouth due to its lack of heat-sensing pits.
These snakes aren’t aggressive or harmful to humans. They may bite if cornered, but they tend to keep to themselves.
Mississippi Green Watersnake
The Mississippi Green Watersnake is another non-venomous snake types discovered in Mississippi. They have medium-sized bodies that are pretty thick and darkly colored. Their olive-green back is typically covered with dark spots or blotches. They grow up to 55 inches, generally.
They eat a range of aquatic animals, including fish and amphibians. These snakes kill crayfish, for instance, and consume them.
This species is endemic to the Pearl River system in Mississippi, which means that is the only place you will find them. They live in marshes, ponds, lakes, and other places with slow-moving water.
They’re generally harmless, but they will bite if threatened. It is best to leave them be.
They are rarer snakes, largely due to their smaller range. It’s currently protected by state law for this reason.
Plain-Belled Watersnake
The plain-belled watersnake is a non-venomous species that you can find throughout Mississippi. It has a plain belly, as you might expect from its name, that’s typically orange or yellow. It’s a mostly patternless snake with a large body. It might have a brown or gray back. Some faint dark spots are common.
It grows to around 40 inches, so it is smaller than many other snakes on this list. This species has a very slender head with round pupils.
It feeds on aquatic animals, including amphibians and fish. You’ll find it in many different bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Southern Watersnake
The southern water snake is another species in snake-infested lakes in Mississippi. They’re thick-bodied. It grows very long – up to 60 inches. This species also has a brown or grey body, like many snakes on this list. It usually has dark bands or blotches that can be broken or faded. This species often has a brown or yellow belly.
Like many non-venomous snakes, they have slender heads and round pupils.
You’ll find these snakes in swamps, rivers, ponds, lakes, and even brackish water along the coast. They’re adaptable and hardy, allowing them to live across a large range.
Snake-Infested Rivers in Mississippi
There are several rivers found in Mississippi that may be home to many of the species of watersnake we discussed above. Other species may live near the rivers, even if they don’t technically fall into the “water snake” category.
There is no exact measurement for the number of snakes found in a river. No one goes out and counts them, after all. However, here are some rivers that have frequent snake sightings.
1. Mississippi River
©Joe Ferrer/Shutterstock.com
The Mississippi River is one of the largest rivers in the state, so it is home to many wildlife species. Some of these are snakes. For instance, you’ll find the northern water snake in the river. You may also find the timber rattlesnake and cottonmouth around the river, though these aren’t technically water snakes.
This river is arguably one of the most important in North America. It flows through the middle of the continental USA and into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also the second-longest river in the United States.
2. Arkansas River
©iStock.com/Michael Dean Shelton
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. You’ll find many of the same species, also as a few different ones. For instance, you’ll find the diamondback water snake and swamp snake. The cottonmouth might also be located in this river, so you do have to watch out for venomous snakes.
3. Pearl River
©Gabbie Berry/Shutterstock.com
The Pearl River forms part of the border between Mississippi and Louisiana. It’s home to several species, including the rare Mississippi green water snake. Of course, you’ll also find some venomous snakes too, such as the cottonmouth.
This river has a meander length of 444 miles and contains large areas of hardwood swamp and cypress warm. It’s home to many wildlife species, including sturgeon and black bears. The mouth of the river creates several types of marsh habitats of different salinities, so you’ll find some rare species.
Summary of the Most Snake-Infested Rivers in Mississippi
| Lake | Snakes Found |
|---|---|
| Mississippi River | Northern water snake, timber rattlesnake, eastern hognose snake, cottonmouth |
| Arkansas River | Broad-banded water snake, diamondback water snake, Graham’s crayfish snake, Gulf swampsnake |
| Pearl River | Rattlesnake, cottonmouth, Mississippi green snake, coral snake |
Other Animals Found Near Rivers in Mississippi
There are tons of other animals in and around the Mississippi River beyond snakes. From fish to mammals, from mussels to insects, the river and its surroundings are home to many species that have adapted to the aquatic environment.
When exploring the river, you may come across various animals such as otters, coyotes, deer, beavers, muskrats, mink, voles, shrews, opossums, and skunks. All of these creatures play a significant role in the river ecosystem, and each has its distinct behavior. For instance, otters are known for being playful and skilled swimmers who hunt for fish and other prey. Meanwhile, beavers contribute to the ecosystem by constructing dams and lodges, which create wetlands along the river.
Mussels play a crucial role in the river’s ecosystem and possess intriguing life cycles, whereas skunks are equipped with the ability to release a malodorous spray as a defense mechanism against predators.
You can also find more than 120 different kinds of fish in the river, such as catfish, carp, bass, and sturgeon.
Discover the “Monster” Snake 5X Bigger than an Anaconda
Every day A-Z Animals sends out some of the a lot of incredible facts in the world from our free newsletter. Want to discover the 10 a lot of beautiful snakes worldwide, a “snake island” where you’re never more than 3 feet from danger, or a “monster” snake 5X larger than an anaconda? Then sign up right now and you’ll start receiving our daily newsletter absolutely complimentary.
