On this page, you can find an overview of snakes in Iowa. The list is separated into non-venomous and venomous snakes in Iowa. This should give you a quick overview if you are dealing with a venomous snake or not. Just click on any of the images or links to learn more about the snake.
If you have encountered a snake in Iowa that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our snake identification page.
List of venomous snakes in Iowa
Agkistrodon Contortrix – Copperhead Snake
The copperhead snake, Agkistrodon contortrix, is a venomous snake that can be found throughout the Eastern United States. It grows ...
Crotalus Horridus – Timber Rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, is a venomous snake native to the Eastern part of North America. It is usually ...
Crotalus Viridis – Western Rattlesnake
The western rattlesnake or prairie rattlensnake, is a venomous snake species that can be found in the Mid-West of the ...
Sistrurus Catenatus – Massasauga Snake
The massasauga snake, Sistrurus catenatus, is a venomous snake that can be found in several U.S. states in a wide ...
List of non-venomous snakes in Iowa
Nerodia Erythrogaster – Plain-Bellied Water Snake
The plain-bellied watersnake is a nonvenomous snake most commonly found in or near water in the Southeastern United States. It ...
Carphophis Vermis – Western Worm Snake
The worm snake, Carphophis amoenus, is a small nonvenomous snake species that can be found throughout the Eastern United States ...
Pantherophis Ramspotti – Western Fox Snake
Pantherophis ramspotti, the western fox snake is a nonvenomous snake species found in the Central United States, west of the ...
Tropidoclonion Lineatum – Lined Snake
The lined snake is a small nonvenomous snake found in the Central United States. The mostly dark snake usually comes ...
Lampropeltis Holbrooki – Speckled Kingsnake
The speckled kingsnake is a nonvenomous snake found in the Southern and Central United States. This large snake is most ...
Thamnophis Radix – Plains Garter Snake
The plains garter snake is a harmless snake species that is found throughout the Central United States and Canada. The ...
Lampropeltis Triangulum – Milk Snake
The milk snake is a nonvenomous snake that can be found in the Eastern and Central United States, in Canada ...
Opheodrys Vernalis – Smooth Green Snake
The smooth green snake is a relatively small nonvenomous snake found throughout the Northeastern and Central United States. Its body ...
Pantherophis Obsoletus – Western Rat Snake
Pantherophis obsoletus, commonly called the western rat snake or the black rat snake is a large nonvenomous snake species. It ...
Nerodia Sipedon – Common Watersnake
The common watersnake is a nonvenomous snake that is often seen throughout the Eastern United States as well as Southeastern ...
Storeria Occipitomaculata – Redbelly Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata, the redbelly snake is a small, dark brown , grey or black snake with a red, orange or ...
Diadophis Punctatus – Ring-Necked Snake
The ring-necked snake, Diadophis punctatus, is a harmless small snake that can be found throughout most of the United States ...
Haldea Striatula – Rough Earth Snake
The rough earth snake is a 7-10 inch long nonvenomous snake that lives mostly underground. It is native to the ...
Virginia Valeriae – Smooth Earth Snake
The smooth earth snake, Virginia valeriae, is a small nonvenomous snake species that can be found throughout the southern and ...
Storeria Dekayi – Brown Snake
Storeris dekayi, commonly called the (American) brown snake or Dekay's snake is a small non-venomous snake that can be found ...
Thamnophis Sirtalis – Common Garter Snake
The common garter snake is the best-known and most widespread species among the garter snakes. It can be found throughout ...
Coluber Constrictor – Racer
Coluber constrictor, commonly called the eastern racer is a nonvenomous snake species. The species contains eleven subspecies that can be ...