By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent
Few animals in Kentucky are more misunderstood than snakes.
They turn up in gardens, woodpiles, barns, creeks, ponds and backyards. They startle people. They move quickly. They do not blink. And for many Kentuckians, the first thought is often the same: Is it venomous?
Most of the time, the answer is no.
Kentucky is home to 33 snake species, and only four are venomous: the copperhead, timber rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake and western cottonmouth. That means most snakes people see across the state are harmless to humans and play an important role in the environment, especially by eating mice, rats and other small animals.
Still, telling snakes apart is not always easy. Many people rely on simple rules they have heard for years: triangular head means venomous, round head means harmless; thick body means dangerous; snake near water means cottonmouth.
Those shortcuts can be misleading.
Venomous snakes in Kentucky often have a triangular or spade-shaped head, with the head wider at the back and narrowing at the neck. They also have elliptical, cat-like pupils, while nonvenomous snakes in Kentucky have round pupils. But these traits are not always practical for the average person to use, especially from a safe distance. No one should get close to a snake just to examine its eyes.
Head shape can fool people, too. Many nonvenomous snakes, including watersnakes, flatten their heads when threatened. That defensive behavior can make them look more like a venomous snake. Body shape can be just as confusing. Some harmless snakes are heavy-bodied, while some venomous snakes may not look especially large at a quick glance.
This is why range, habitat, pattern and behavior all matter.
The western cottonmouth, often called a water moccasin, is one of Kentucky’s most misidentified snakes. It is venomous, but it is not found across the state. In Kentucky, cottonmouths are limited to the Jackson Purchase and parts of the Western Coalfields. They are associated with swamps, wetlands, lakes and floodplains, especially in the warmer months. There are no verified cottonmouth records around Lexington, Richmond or throughout Central and Eastern Kentucky.
That matters because many snakes reported as cottonmouths in those areas are actually harmless watersnakes. Watersnakes may be defensive if handled or cornered, but they are not venomous.
The safest approach is also the simplest: Leave snakes alone. Do not try to pick them up. Do not try to kill them. Give them room to move away, keep pets and children at a safe distance and take a photo from several feet away if identification is needed.
Fear of snakes is common. But fear does not have to lead to panic. A little knowledge can help Kentuckians recognize that most snakes they encounter are not a threat, and even venomous snakes are best handled with distance, caution and respect.
In most cases, a snake in the yard is not looking for trouble. It is looking for cover, food or a way out.
You can learn more about snake identification by visiting https://kysnakes.mgcafe.uky.edu/.
To learn more about snakes in your area, contact your Carter County Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
Upcoming Events:
- The Olive Hill Farmer’s Market is located in the Save-a-Lot parking lot and is open on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 8:00 AM until sell out.
- Little Sandy Beekeepers – July 7th @ 6:30 PM; Topic – Hive Inspections
