The Top Four Largest (And Most Dangerous) Snakes In Mississippi
Like most of the states located in the eastern United States, there are four species of venomous snake that are the largest. In this section, we are counting them down by size, but don’t be fooled! Each of these four snakes is fully capable of inflicting a painful bite with the potential to cause severe injury. Of these, three can deliver enough venom to kill an adult human without prompt medical care!
4. Eastern/Southern Copperhead
The copperhead is named for its overall reddish-brown coloring and can be identified by the brown hourglass markings over the body. Copperheads are pit vipers, with characteristic triangular heads and slitted, catlike pupils. There are copperheads found throughout Mississippi, except for small areas near the Gulf Coast. The copperhead would rather run than strike, but they blend so well with their surroundings they are often encountered by accident. The bite isn’t always deadly, but without prompt medical care, the copperhead’s venom can kill.
3. Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)
The cottonmouth is reddish-brown with black banding when young but may darken to grey or black with age. They can be most easily identified by their signature gaping mouth warning, which reveals the stark, cotton-colored white interior. Mississippi has two species of cottonmouth – the eastern and the southern. While cottonmouths aren’t particularly aggressive, accidental contact such as stepping on one or contact in water results in deadly bites. Cottonmouths account for around one percent of deadly snake bites in the United States.
2. Timber Rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnakes can be identified by their yellow-grey bodies, brown/black arrow markings, and the reddish-brown stripe down the back. Timber rattlesnakes may also have darker brown banding over the entire body. This species is found throughout Mississippi, except for the Gulf Coast. This snake prefers dry locations such as forests or farmland. The timber rattlesnake has the most concentrated and deadly venom of all United States species, but bites are rare. However, slowly backing away is not often an option and experts recommend quickly getting out of this snake’s way!
1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
The largest and most dangerous snake in Mississippi is the eastern diamondback rattlesnake which is brown over the entire body, with a distinctive brown diamond pattern outlined in yellow. They can also be identified by the black markings striping the face, as well as the narrow shape and slitted eyes common in pit vipers. The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in the United States. Slow to attack but with a fast strike, backing away slowly is the best way to escape a deadly bite. This species is found throughout Mississippi but prefers to stay away from humans.
The Equalizer: Black King Snakes Actually Hunt Dangerous Snakes!
Mississippi is also the home of the black king snake, a non-venomous constrictor that’s five feet long, thickly muscled, and looks terrifying. With its shiny black back, yellow underbelly, and overall girth, this species can be mistaken for a dangerous threat. But the truth is, this species is an extremely beneficial snake that hunts venomous species! The black king snake has a natural immunity to the venom of other snakes, including rattlesnakes. The species is also quite helpful and keeps the rodent population in its territory down. So, if you see this hunter on the job in your yard, you can rest easy knowing that it’s completely harmless to humans!
