Louisiana’s Top 5 Largest and Most Dangerous Snakes

Lafayette, La (KMDL) - Here in Louisiana, we've got many really cool but really dangerous animals.

Alligators, bull sharks, numerous different snake species, lion fish, black moth caterpillars, and many more.

When it comes to snakes in Louisiana, what are the biggest and most dangerous?

Louisiana's Biggest And Most Dangerous Snakes

When talking about big snakes, it's important to take a look at what is widely considered to be a "big snake".

When you think of a big snake, you probably immediately think of a python, and rightly so.

Reticulated pythons are the world's biggest snakes, typically growing over 30 feet in length and weighing in at 250 lbs and even getting up to 500 lbs depending on the type of python.

READ MORE: Louisiana's 7 Deadliest Animals

Thankfully pythons aren't native to Louisiana, but they have been found here, even in residential areas.

What are the biggest snakes native to Louisiana?

From a-zanimals.com -

"Louisiana is known for having a wide variety of animal life, and for the kind of warm weather, which is particularly key for reptiles like snakes! In fact, there are over fifty distinct species of snakes in Louisiana.

But surprisingly, only a few of them are venomous. But which of these venomous snakes are the biggest and deadliest?"

Below are the 5 biggest and most dangerous snakes in Louisiana.

5. Pygmy Rattlesnake - 12-24 inches long, 1 to 2 feet long.

Pygmy rattlesnakes are rarely deadly, but a bite from a pygmy rattlesnake can result in loss of limbs.

They also rarely give a warning when they attack and seldom rattle which is a bit concerning so keep your eyes peeled.

Pygmy rattlesnakes are usually gray with dark round blotches down the back and smaller ones on their sides, and sometimes have a narrow line running down their back.

READ MORE: Most Snake Infested Lakes in Louisiana

4. Eastern/Southern Copperhead - 24-36 inches long, 2 to 2 1/2 feet long.

A bite from a southern copperhead is said to be an extremely painful one, with one of the biggest risks being serious infection.

Southern copperhead snakes are extremely agressive and very often strike without warning.

These snakes are identified as tan or light brown with hourglass-shaped bands that are wide on the sides and narrow across the back that look like Hery kisses.

3. Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) - 20-48 inches long, 1 1/2 to 4 feet long.

Found in swamps and marshlands across Louisiana.

Described as being mildly aggressive, the cottonmouth raises its head back and opens its mouth wide as a warning, revealing the white cotton-like color of their mouth.

From a-zanimals.com -

"The cottonmouth is reddish-brown with black banding when young but may darken to grey or black with age. They can be most easily identified by their signature gaping mouth warning, which reveals the stark, cotton-colored white interior."

READ MORE - Killing This Louisiana Snake Could Cost You $50,000

2. Timber Rattlesnake - 36-60 inches long, 3 to 5 feet long.

Mostly found in farmlands and wooded areas, the timber rattlesnake has the most concentrated venom of any snake in Louisiana and the U.S.

This is a deadly snake and if bitten, you must get medical attention immediately.

The timber rattlesnake is identified by their yellow-grey body, brown/black arrow markings, and reddish-brown stripe down the back. according to a-zanimals.com.

This snake will typically give little to no warning before striking, so if you hear their rattle you should quickly run.

1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - 36-72 inches long, 3 to 6 feet long.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are found in dry areas, woodpiles, and sometimes by water.

A bite from this snake can be deadly without quick medical attention.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake can strike extremely fast from up to 4 feet.

From a-zanimals.com -

"The largest and most dangerous snake in Louisiana is the eastern diamondback rattlesnake which has brown over the entire body, with a distinctive brown diamond pattern outlined in yellow.

They can also be identified by the black markings striping the face, as well as the narrow shape and slitted eyes common in pit vipers."

Read more at a-zanimals.com.