Snake Removal

There are 38 species of snakes and they are the most diverse group of reptiles in the state. Fourteen snake species have a distribution nearly statewide. Nine snake species have a primarily western distribution in the state and eight snakes are restricted to the eastern one-third of Kansas. There are five  snake species in Kansas that are venomous. Ten are designated as Threatened Species or Species in Need of Conservation by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. All Kansas snakes are permanent, year-round residents and none migrate far from suitable habitat.

Of the 46 species of snakes native to Oklahoma, only seven venomous snake species. If you learn to identify the seven venomous species, then you will recognize other Oklahoma snakes as not dangerous, even though you may not be able to identify the snake.

All seven venomous snake species belong to the same family, Viperidae or pit vipers. Pit vipers are the only snakes that have a pit on each side of the head between and below the nostril and eye. These pits serve as heat-sensing organs that allow the snake to find and strike warm-blooded prey. Pit vipers are the only Oklahoma snakes with retractable fangs. The fangs are used to inject venom for killing prey and as a means of defense. Pit vipers have elliptical pupils like cats and a single row of scales on the bottom of its tail behind the anus. A pit viper has one row of teeth on each side in the upper mouth. Heads of pit vipers are significantly wider than their necks. Pit vipers tend to have stocky bodies.

Oklahoma nonvenomous snakes, except for the Texas long-nosed snake, have two rows of scales on the bottoms of their tails behind the anus. Most nonvenomous snake species have round pupils like humans. Many nonvenomous snakes have two rows of teeth on each side in their upper mouths. and tend to have relatively slender bodies. The heads of most nonvenomous snakes are usually only slightly wider than their necks or are the same width as their necks.