ARS
Austin-Area
Snake
ID Guides

Austin-Area
Snake ID Guides

The following information is intended to make Austin-area snake identification easier for people who are not familiar with snakes. It will also help you understand why snakes may be present and what you can do to discourage them if you so desire

Many people have a snake phobia (ophidiophobia) and panic when they see one. Snakes are wild animals, the same as their mammal or bird counterparts, except that they cannot run or fly away from humans. They have to crawl or "slither" away. For most people, this is not fast enough and the snakes are then killed or injured.

Snakes want to be left alone, just like any other animal.

Before killing the snakes around your house, take a few moments to check the following ID Guides.

It's Probably a
Texas Rat Snake!

It's Probably aTexas Rat Snake!

Texas Rat Snake: The most common large snake in Texas.
 
(Texas Rat Snake)

Austin-Area Snake ID Guides

The following information is intended to make Austin-area snake identification easier for people who are not familiar with snakes. It will also help you understand why snakes may be present and what you can do to discourage them if you so desire.

Many people have a snake phobia (ophidiophobia) and panic when they see one. Snakes are wild animals, the same as their mammal or bird counterparts, except that they cannot run or fly away from humans. They have to crawl or "slither" away. For most people this is not fast enough and the snakes are then killed or injured.

Snakes want to be left alone, just like any other animal.

Before killing the snakes around your house, take a few moments to check the following ID Guides.

It's Probably a
Texas Rat Snake!

It's Probably aTexas Rat Snake!

Texas Rat Snake: The most common large snake in Texas.
 
(Texas Rat Snake)

ID byPattern

Snakes with
Bands

Snakes withBands

Bands: Rings of different colors almost encircling the snake's body (in all but the coral snake, which does make complete circles)
 
(Broad-Banded Copperhead)

Snakes with
Blotches

Snakes withBlotches

Blotches: Non-geometrical, irregular patterns on the snake's back.
 
(Eastern Hognose)

Snakes with
Diamonds

Snakes withDiamonds

Diamonds: A diamond-shaped pattern on the back of the snake with the two opposite points of the diamond centered on the snake's spine.
 
(Diamondback Water Snake)

Snakes that are
Solid-Colored

Snakes that areSolid-Colored

Solid: Uniform in color with no pattern.
 
(Rough Earth Snake)

Snakes with
Stripes

Snakes withStripes

Stripes: A line going from the snake's head to its tail.
 
(Eastern Blackneck Garter Snake)

ID byCounty

Snakes in
Bastrop County,
TX

Snakes inBastrop County,TX

Snakes Native To Bastrop County, TX
 
(Eastern Yellow Belly Racer)

Snakes in
Travis County,
TX

Snakes inTravis County,TX

Snakes Native To Travis County, TX
 
(Texas Rat Snake)

Snakes in
Williamson
County, TX

Snakes inWilliamsonCounty, TX

Snakes Native To Williamson County, TX
 
(Texas Coral Snake)

Other SnakeID Guides

Texas
Rat
Snake

TexasRatSnake

Texas Rat Snake: The most common large snake in Texas.
 
(Texas Rat Snake)

All
Austin-Area
Snakes

AllAustin-AreaSnakes

All Austin-Area snakes.
 
(Texas Coral Snake)

Austin-Area
Non-Venomous
Snakes

Austin-AreaNon-VenomousSnakes

Non-Venomous: does not produce venom.
 
(Eastern Yellow Belly Racer)

Austin-Area
Venomous
Snakes

Austin-AreaVenomousSnakes

Venomous: capable of secreting venom and/or injecting venom by means of a bite or sting.
 
(Western Cottonmouth)

Texas Rat Snake

Texas Rat Snake

Texas Rat Snake: The most common large snake in Texas.
 
(Texas Rat Snake)

All Austin-Area Snakes

All Austin-Area Snakes

All Austin-Area snakes.
 
(Texas Coral Snake)

Austin-Area Non-Venomous Snakes

Austin-Area Non-Venomous Snakes

Non-Venomous: does not produce venom.
 
(Eastern Yellow Belly Racer)

Austin-Area Venomous Snakes

Austin-Area Venomous Snakes

Venomous: capable of secreting venom and/or injecting venom by means of a bite or sting.
 
(Western Cottonmouth)

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©2023 Austin Reptile Service
Created by The WillaWoman

ARS Logo

©2023 Austin Reptile Service
Created by The WillaWoman