Common Snake Species in Oklahoma City

Glossy Snake: If you reside in Oklahoma, there is a high tendency that you have come across a glossy snake at one point or another. This snake, which shares a striking resemblance with the gopher snake, is one of the most common snakes in Oklahoma. They are distinguished by their pointed and narrow head with varieties of skin color and patterns. Depending on the time of the year and the habitat you find, glossy snakes usually look pale or washed out. But when in a perfect environmental condition, they either have shades of tan, brown, or grey with spotted patterns. Also, they usually have a cream-colored or white unmarked ventral surface. This non-venomous snake is known to grow as long as 70-130cm.

Worm Snake: This particular snake is one of the smallest snakes in Oklahoma. With an average length of 19-28cm, it has an interesting survival instinct which it uses to survive in its natural environment. Worm snakes are dark brown with pinkish ventral pigmentation. Another distinguishing feature of this snake is its small tail that ends in a spine-like scale. Female worm snakes are usually longer than the male. But they usually have shorter tails and their head is conical, smaller, and not as wide as the neck of the snake. Despite being small in size and non-venomous, they are good hunters.





Milksnake: In Oklahoma, these snakes are considered to be one of the smallest species of kingsnakes. They share many features with this snake, the only difference is that their average length is 60cm. Milksnakes have smooth and shiny scales with alternating pattern bands of white-black-red or red-black-yellow. In some rare cases, you will find them with red blotches.

Venomous Snake Species in Oklahoma City

Prairie Rattlesnake: In Oklahoma, the prairie rattlesnake is one you need to stay away from as much as you can. This 3-foot-long snake has a venom that can take down any prey including humans. Prairie rattlesnakes have multiple scales that make it easy for people to identify them. Naturally, these venomous snakes are in different shades of brown with patches of dark down arranged towards the dorsal part of your body. Another obvious feature of this snake is its triangular-shaped head and the presence of pit sensory organs on one side of its head.





Western Pygmy Rattlesnake: Here is another venomous snake in Oklahoma that you need to watch out for. With an average length of 40 -60cm, these snakes are one of the deadliest snakes in Oklahoma. Also, they are of the few snakes in Oklahoma that showcases sexual dimorphism. To identify this snake, take a look at their mid-body which has rows of many dorsal scales. These patterns have oval spots with regular edges. With this, you will be able to identify the snake.





Western Massasauga Rattlesnake: Oklahoma is home to many snakes, but you need to stay away from this particular rattlesnake. The western massasauga rattlesnake is about 60 to 75cm long and has a unique body pattern that separates it from every other species of snake in Oklahoma. Western massasauga rattlesnakes have a tan or grey ground skin color infused with colorful large rounded black or brown spots or blotches. Younger western massasauga rattlesnakes have visible patterns on their body, but they are paler than the adults. Due to the visible colorations on the body of this snake, it is quite easy to identify it if by chance you come across it.