North Texas is home to dozens of snake species. Most are harmless. A few are venomous. Here's what every DFW resident should know.
Texas has more snake species than any other state — over 115 in total, with roughly 30 found regularly in the DFW Metroplex and surrounding counties. Of those, only a handful are venomous. Understanding the difference isn't just interesting — it could save a snake's life, and occasionally yours.
Four venomous species are found in the DFW region. All four are pit vipers — they have heat-sensing pits between the eye and nostril, triangular heads, and elliptical (cat-like) pupils.
Crotalus atrox
The most common venomous snake in North Texas. Heavy-bodied with a distinctive diamond pattern and a rattle. Found in open grasslands, rocky areas, and suburban edges. Responsible for the majority of snakebites in Texas.
Agkistrodon contortrix
The most frequently encountered venomous snake in DFW. Copperheads are well-camouflaged and often found in wooded areas, leaf litter, and suburban yards near creeks. Their bite is rarely fatal but requires medical attention.
Crotalus horridus
Found in the eastern portions of North Texas, particularly in wooded bottomlands. Less common in urban areas than the diamondback or copperhead, but present in the region.
Micrurus tener
Slender and brightly colored, the coral snake is the only non-pit-viper venomous snake in Texas. Rarely encountered and not aggressive. The rhyme 'red touches yellow, kill a fellow' applies to Texas coral snakes.
The vast majority of snakes you'll encounter in North Texas are completely harmless and ecologically valuable. These are the ones most often mistaken for dangerous species.
Large, common, and frequently encountered in suburban areas. Often mistaken for a rattlesnake when it vibrates its tail in leaf litter. Excellent rodent control.
Famous for its dramatic death-feigning behavior. Flattens its head to look like a cobra, hisses loudly, and rolls over playing dead. Completely harmless.
Bright green and slender, found in vegetation near water. Completely harmless and beneficial. Often mistaken for something exotic.
Black with yellow speckles. Immune to pit viper venom and will actively hunt and eat rattlesnakes. One of the best snakes to have on your property.
Fast, slender, and alert. Often seen crossing roads or fleeing through grass. Completely harmless despite its speed and size.
Frequently mistaken for a cottonmouth (which is not established in most of DFW). Heavy-bodied and found near water. Non-venomous but will bite if handled.
The vast majority of snakes in North Texas are harmless. A snake in your yard is almost certainly there to eat rodents, not to threaten you.
Most snakes will move on within a few hours if left alone. Keep children and pets away and let it leave on its own.
Most snakebites happen when people try to pick up, kill, or relocate a snake themselves. Even a dead snake can bite reflexively.
Call a professional. Daryl offers field services across North Texas — humane removal and relocation, not extermination. Snakes are protected in Texas and play a vital role in the ecosystem.
Call 911 or get to an emergency room immediately. Do not cut the wound, apply a tourniquet, or try to suck out venom. Keep the person calm and still.
Peak activity season. Snakes emerge from winter dormancy and are actively feeding and breeding. Most encounters happen in spring.
Activity shifts to early morning and evening as temperatures peak. Snakes are less visible during the hottest part of the day but still active.
Second peak season as snakes feed heavily before winter. Rattlesnakes are particularly active in fall.
Most snakes enter brumation (reptile hibernation) during cold snaps. Warm winter days can bring them out briefly.
Daryl offers professional snake removal and relocation services across North Texas. Humane, experienced, and available when you need it.
