What are the 7 venomous snakes of Louisiana? How to identify them and where to avoid

Louisiana is home to 48 different species of snakes, but only seven of these species are venomous.

Louisiana's venomous snakes include three different species of rattlesnake, two species of coral snake, one copperhead species and one water moccasin species.

Additionally, some venomous snakes can be identified based on head shape, pupils, fangs, rattles, neck size, tail scales, as well as color and pattern.

Louisiana's seven kinds of venomous snakes

• Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
• Timber rattlesnake
• Pygmy rattlesnake
• Eastern copperhead
• Texas coral snake
• Harlequin coral snake
• Northern cottonmouth water moccasin

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake

The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake species in North America, and these snakes are typically a brown or brownish-yellow color with dark brown or black diamonds along its spine that are outlined with cream or yellowish scale, according to Louisiana Sportsman.

Timber rattlesnake

Timber rattlesnakes, also called "canebrake" rattlesnakes, can be distinguished by a black chevron, or "V" pattern, along its back that points to the tail. This species' colors range from a light tan or gray to dark browns. These snakes oftentimes won't rattle when you initially come upon them, says the Louisiana Sportsman.

Pygmy rattlesnake

The pygmy rattlesnake is the smallest species of rattlesnake in the world, and they can vary in color, although, these snakes are typically a silver or gray color with dark brown or black spots down the back and sides. This species can also be identified by a dark stripe that runs through the eye and extends to the back of the head, and there may also be a faint orange stripe running down the center of the back, according to Louisiana Sportsman.

Eastern copperhead

Eastern copperhead snakes are one of the most-common and easily recognizable venomous snakes in Louisiana. This species is characterized by a light gray or orange color with a darker orange or brown pattern along its entire body, and their heads are usually slightly darker than their bodies, says Louisiana Sportsman.

Texas coral snake

The Texas coral snake has short, fixed and hollow fangs in the front of their upper jaw, and this species spends most of its time under logs and leaves, or underground. These snakes are small and slender with blunt heads that are solid black until just behind the eyes, and they have rounded pupils. Coral snakes are often colored with red, yellow and black bands, according to Louisiana Sportsman.

Harlequin coral snake

Harlequin coral snakes are characterized by very dark red, yellow and black bands. Due different variations of colors within coral snake species, the rhyme "red on yellow, kill a fellow; Red on black, venom lack" is sometimes unreliable. So, if you come across a snake with these colors, it's best to just leave them alone, says Louisiana Sportsman.

Northern cottonmouth water moccasin

The Northern cottonmouth water moccasin are the world's only semi-aquatic vipers, and typical moccasin behavior includes curling into a coil and displaying its white mouth as a deterrent and then slithering away when the coast is clear. Moccasins have a dark "Zorro mask" line that runs from the tip of their nose and through their eyes, according to Louisiana Sportsman.

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com