Though they prefer to eat small mammals, they will also take small amphibians and lizards if they have the chance. Adults have thick bodies and range from 24 to 40 inches in length. 98% of venomous snakebites in the United States are from the North American pit viper, including copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes 1. However, it would still be foolish to underestimate them, since this species has bitten more people throughout this countrys history than any other venomous snake. Many of these signs of venomous Iowa snakes are only noticeable up close, so it is always best to be aware of where you are walking and what wildlife might be in that area. Dry bites contain no venom, and warning bites have a relatively small amount of venom. However, if disturbed, they may shake their tail, release a foul-smelling musk, and strike if grabbed. Lined snakes are gray or brown, with three light stripes. Air temperature is the main factor in snake activity. When they feel threatened, these snakes will freeze, trying to use their camouflage to avoid detection. Two Hawkeyes And A Cyclone Go In The 1st Round of NFL Draft, Linn-Mar Alum Marcus Paige Lands College Coaching Position, Iowa Held Its Own Woodstock-Style Festival Over 50 Years Ago, Where Your Favorite Hawkeyes Could Land In The NFL Draft, Iowa Has One of the Tiniest Towns In America. Related Read:What Do Milk Snakes Eat in the Wild & as Pets. AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinois, IndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontana, NebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvania, Rhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming, For a full list of every venomous and nonvenomous snake found in the USA, check out my full article: Identity 130+ Snake Species From The USA (With Images). A state famous for its prairies and corn fields, its easy to believe that Iowa makes a good home for snakes. Eastern milk snakes are found in rocky areas on prairies and farms. When detected, they often freeze rather than rattle. Racer Coluber constrictor. Adults range from 18 to 28 inches in length. Youre more likely to see them active during the day in the spring and fall when the weather is cooler. They may also hiss and false strike with a closed mouth. They feed primarily on small mammals but may also consume frogs, birds, and other smaller snakes. This map reveals the snake population in the United States by state. Are these snakes in every county of Iowa? However, they have also been observed preying on small mammals and birds, including the Eastern Meadowlark and Bank Swallow. A post shared by Jimmy Randolph (@hootowlkarma). Another venomous snake that can be found in Iowa is the Massasauga. The species contains eleven subspecies that can be Agkistrodon Contortrix Copperhead Snake, Nerodia Erythrogaster Plain-Bellied Water Snake, Pantherophis Ramspotti Western Fox Snake, Lampropeltis Holbrooki Speckled Kingsnake, Pantherophis Obsoletus Western Rat Snake, Storeria Occipitomaculata Redbelly Snake, Thamnophis Sirtalis Common Garter Snake. The list is separated into non-venomous and venomous snakes in Iowa. Bullsnake . The Plain-bellied Watersnake has a small range in Iowa and can be found near various water sources, including rivers, floodplains, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Bright green all over with yellow or cream bellies, smooth green snakes are found in meadows and forest clearings. This venomous snake is listed as threatened, endangered, or a species of concern in all parts of its range. Snakes are feared by many people, usually without just cause. In addition, copperheads also frequently employ false strikes, dry bites, and warning bites. Whether a snake is venomous or not, if you're unsure, just leave it alone. Thick body, large triangular head, heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils, elliptical pupils. Adults typically range between 3.3 and 5 feet in length. On top of having a habitat limited to the prairies of Loess Hills and surrounding areas, they are also an endangered species. Large and fast, North American racers are found in grasslands and forest edges. (US & Worldwide Statistics in 2023), How Do Cats Show Affection? They live in wooded areas and primarily eat slugs and snails. The Speckled Kingsnakes unique appearance resulted in the nickname salt and pepper snake. Look for them in fields along the forests edge, prairies, grasslands, stream valleys, pastures, and roadside ditches. They typically give plenty of warning by rattling and posturing. Copperheads are listed as a venomous snake in Iowa, but their range only slightly extends into Missouri in the southernmost counties along the Mississippi River. If you encounter a copperhead in Iowa, it will likely be in the southeastern corner of the state. A better way to identify a venomous snake in Iowa, is by the rattle on the end of their tail. They are commonly seen basking on branches overhanging the water. When they feel threatened, they flee into the water or hide in thick brush. Below youll find a complete list of the 28 snakes found in Iowa: Hopefully, youve picked up on something quite notable about Iowas snakes: the venomous snakes are actually quite shy! As the weather gets nice, more and more people take to the outdoors. She got her first cat at 5 years old and at 14, she started working for her local veterinarian. When disturbed, these snakes often freeze to avoid detection. Also called Redbelly, Yellowbelly, Copperbelly, or Blotched Watersnake. These snakes are so abundant that they are the only species of snake you are allowed to capture or kill in the state. This species is often mistaken for the venomous water moccasin, which is not found in Iowa. This noise may serve to warn predators, similar to a rattlesnake, or divert a predators attack to their tail. It's a question that comes up when visitors see our animal ambassador snakes, and the answer is "No.". The massasauga and timber rattlesnakes are rare, but found in eastern and southern Iowa. If captured, they will bite and release a foul-smelling musk from glands near the base of their tail. The snake had yellow stripes down the length of its body. It adapts well to human development and has a reputation as a city snake. However, pesticide usage and clean-up of cover objects may reduce their populations in urban areas by reducing their habitat and food source. However, these snakes are non-venomous and dont typically bite, but they will release a foul-smelling musk if grabbed! Fun Facts The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is North America's longest, heaviest venomous snake! Adults typically range from 18 to 26 inches in length. Western Massasauga These snakes are ambush predators, waiting for unsuspecting prey to come within range of their strike. Check the head and pupil shape to distinguish between the two species. If you have recently been bitten, GO DIRECTLY to the nearest hospital to get help and to determine if the snake is venomous.*. However, theyll also consume various types of prey, including birds and bird eggs, lizards, snakes, amphibians, fish, earthworms, slugs, insects, and carrion.

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