Rattlesnakes In Illinois Map

There are four species of venomous snakes found in illinois copperhead agkistrodon contortrix cottonmouth agkistrodon piscivorus timber rattlesnake crotalus horridus and massasauga sistrurus catenatus.

Rattlesnakes in illinois map. The massasauga which resides along rivers and in marshes and swamps is listed as endangered in illinois. The copperhead is found in the southern two thirds of the state. Of these only the two rattlesnakes the timber rattler and massasauga may inhabit north illinois though they re extremely rare in this part of the state. It is used to detect heat emitted by potential warm blooded prey.

Conservation concerns and listed statuses come from the illinois endangered species protection board s february 2011 checklist of endangered and threatened animals and plants of illinois and the illinois natural history survey s website. The cottonmouth is found only in the very southern tip of the state. Southern copperhead and northern copperhead highland moccasin western coppermouth water moccasin timber rattlesnake canebrake rattlesnake eastern massasauga. The venomous snakes of illinois people often erroneously refer to snakes as poisonous but the proper technical term is venomous.

Snake species known to be found in the u s. Jump to navigation jump to search. Illinois venomous snakes are pit vipers having a large opening or pit on each side of the head between the eye and nostril. The cottonmouth copperhead timber rattlesnake and eastern massasauga.

Common snakes of illinois. The timber rattlesnake crotalus horridus is one of four species of venomous snakes in illinois. Image scientific name common name family venomous conservation concern. Some places have bears and mountain lions some say we do that one must constantly be aware of.

The name crotalus comes from the greek krotalon and. Illinois ranges from high and rugged mountain peaks to massive water logged areas 2325 square miles covered by water such as lake michigan. If the toxin is from eating or touching the organism then it is poison. This creates the perfect home for many semi aquatic snakes and there.

Watch out for snakes. Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix. The difference is that poison is ingested and venom is injected. The timber rattlesnake is threatened.

The following are venomous snake commonly found in illinois. They inhabit almost all of the southern half of the state and the west all along the mississippi. There are still quite a few timber rattlesnakes in illinois even though their range has been decreasing. Besides the pit venomous snakes can be recognized by the elliptical pupil in the eye.

List of snakes of illinois. Illinois is also home to the eastern massasauga. With the exception of the timber rattlesnake the tip of the tail is bright yellow in all juvenile illinois venomous snakes. Venomous snakes of illinois.

We in southern illinois have very little to fear as we go for a hike. They live in the center of the state from springfield to peoria. Most of these snakes we encounter on the trail are not of the venomous nature. According to the illinois department of natural resources illinois hosts four venomous snake species.