Most of the snakes in the United States are found in the southern regions. This is mainly due to the temperate climate of this area to the tropics, abundant vegetation and water, and parks that preserve many pristine natural areas. From the Mexican border to Texas to the Gulf Coast and the swamps/forests to the interior, the South has as many different habitats as the reptiles that live within them.
Whether it’s a poisonous rattlesnake in Big Bend National Park or a python that attacks Everglades National Park in Florida, before you visit these hot spots, learn more about these critters’ typical behaviors and active seasons, so you can stay safe on your travels.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Located on what many may consider to be the border between two very unique regions of the United States, the Southwest and the Deep South (one characterized by dry deserts, the latter by wet and swampy areas), Big Bend National Park in Texas is a unique place that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the area every year. Among its diverse flora and fauna, there are 31 recorded species of snakes, one of the highest in the entire country.
It is 801,100+ hectares in size and borders the Chihuahuan Desert on the border of Mexico, the Rio Grande basin, and the Chisos Mountains, which produce amazingly sharp landscapes in such a short space. The local elevation ranges from about 1,700 feet to 7,830 feet, allowing completely different species to live in different temperature zones.
Venomous snakes include western diamondback rattlesnakes, black-tailed rattlesnakes, rock rattlesnakes, Mojave rattlesnakes, and Texas coral snakes. Non-venomous species such as cochwhips, rattlesnakes, and a few rattlesnakes are also common, and activity of all species is known to peak after storms when prey are forced from burrows to higher ground. To prove yourself, cruise the park’s highways at dusk, a favorite spot for these cold-blooded predators, and often reveal many species of snakes in one evening due to the heat retention of the desert road.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park supports one of the highest concentrations of native snakes in the southern United States. It has 1.5 million acres of Florida’s best protected wetlands, mangroves and hardwoods, keeping both venomous and non-venomous snakes year-round outside the busy Miami-Dade area. Commonly encountered species include eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, indigo snakes, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and many species of water snakes and warriors.
The constant tropical climate allows for continuous activity, which tends to peak during the rainy season from May to October. During these times, local snakes concentrate on levees, canal banks, and elevated walkways that are not only visited by humans, but also see abundant prey in the form of birds, amphibians, fish, and rodents.
The Everglades also has a record population of invasive Burmese pythons, which has changed the dynamics of prey across the ecosystem for the worse. Fortunately, several conservation programs have been planned in recent decades to eliminate these pests, but their high reproduction rate still makes it a tricky, ongoing issue.
Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia and Florida
The Okefenokee Reservoir covers an area of approximately 438,000 acres in Georgia and Florida, consisting mostly of peat wetlands, blackwater stations, and beautiful cypress forests, and creates an excellent habitat for a mixture of aquatic and terrestrial snakes. Importantly, the marsh supports a population of cottonmouths and water snakes, which are frequently seen along popular boat routes and floating peat islands. On the other hand, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes live in drier pine islands and higher elevations, while eastern coral snakes occur in sandier, wetter areas.
Seasonal floods move prey such as frogs, fish, and small mammals near shallow edges, often drawing snakes onto footpaths and waterways that also see a lot of human travel. There is also less time here, as warmer temperatures increase activity from early spring to late autumn, with more snakes especially out and about during the wet summer months. In addition, controlled burning of pine flatwoods also maintains low levels that are particularly favored by rattlesnakes.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Congaree National Park overlooks the largest remaining area of hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. Its lush environment, shaped by the Congaree and Wateree rivers, creates fertile soil, oxbow lakes, and sloughs that often support many water snakes.
Cottonmouths are common near high boardwalk edges and cypress-tupelo edges, while eastern rat snakes and banded water snakes move through canopy gaps and shallow backwaters. Ground-loving timber rattlesnakes have a home here, too, perching on terraces slightly higher in the park, and often using fallen trees and leaf litter for cover. Oriental coral snakes also, as is typical for this species, occur in the sandy areas of the forest, and black rat snakes have also been seen in nearby forests.
Like many wetlands, seasonal flooding/drying in the Congaree can disperse or concentrate small aquatic animals, attracting all kinds of predators. Whether they are lizards, snakes, or loggerhead turtles, you can see these hungry reptiles in a variety of places, from winding ponds to flooded plains. With that, definitely try to check the current water level to know what to expect before you hike and/or roam the park.
National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia and North Carolina
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge covers approximately 113,000 acres of pocosin wetlands and woodlands. This wetland contains many plants and animals that have adapted to acidic, low-oxygen conditions. When it comes to snakes, cottonmouths are often found in canal networks, rivers and ditches, while brown water snakes and ringed water snakes patrol the shallow waters for fish and aquatic life. Interior areas and logging roads provide habitat for many wild species such as eastern rat snakes, wild green snakes and the timber rattlesnake.
Limited development within the refuge allows stable residents to continue through this vehicle-free wetland system outside of Norfolk, Virginia, making it a top snake destination in the south and a popular destination for urbanites seeking a temporary wilderness escape.
Be Careful While Exploring Countries With Snakes in the South
The South is an obvious place for snakes only, since all the inhabitants of the country of American alligators are confined to this area, as well as many other critters that depend on hot and humid weather conditions throughout the year. This beautiful climate also attracts many vacationers each year, many of whom are responsible for the large number of snakes and other reptiles. Therefore, knowing how often these dangerous predators spend time can save you during your next trip to the area.
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