2. Rattlesnakes

Although this might be the most iconic of all the snakes in the United States, and there are huge numbers of them throughout Texas, finding one in Harris County would be extremely unusual, though not impossible. I've never heard of anyone encountering one in the wild in Houston, so chances are no Rattlesnakes are going to find their way into someone's flower bed inside the city. However, several varieties of Rattlesnakes do live in places like Galveston Island or Brazoria and other areas near enough to Houston, so be aware they're "out there". Rattlesnakes that might be living in surrounding areas include the Western Pygmy, the Timber Rattlesnake, and the Western Diamondback. Many years ago I accidentally peed right next to one, when I stopped off for an emergency improvised roadside rest stop outside of Ellinger one night. The dark shape I'd mistaken for a small pile of rocks a few feet away started to rattle indignantly, and I walked backwards and away. Very slowly...


1. Texas Coral Snake

This is the most colorful of the local venomous snakes around here and is the only species that's not a pit viper. Coral Snakes don't tend to get very large, with most of them staying less than two feet in length, and they prefer to live in areas which are at least partially wooded with abundant ground litter. The only time I ever spotted one in the wild was in the hollow of a dead tree that had a bunch of pine needles piled up around it. The Texas Coral Snake is especially reclusive and only bites if provoked, but its venom is the most potent of all the local snake species, so getting bit by one is not something anyone wants to do. Kirby explains further.

"Coral Snakes are related to cobras and pack a powerful neurotoxin. They're almost always encountered underneath log, old boards, and similar cover near wooded areas. There are some myths about them being "rear fanged" and only able to bite fingers and toes. This is untrue, but I think it stems from their super shy and reclusive nature."

Kirby also feels that most people bit by Coral Snakes usually create the unsafe condition that precedes the event.

"Victims are almost always goofballs who attempt to catch one after mistaking it for a similarly colored milksnake or kingsnake. Most people know some version of the old rhyme: "Red and yellow, kill a fellow, red and black, friend of Jack." In reference to the correct way to distinguish a real coral snake from a mimic. To me this always seemed beside the point, people should just leave them all alone."

And people shouldn't assume that they might only encounter a Coral Snake somewhere outside of Houston either. As Jared recalls, they can live in the heart of the city.

"There was a bite victim in Herman Park years ago. As usual, the victim was trying to capture it to keep as a pet. He went running down the street with the snake in his hand screaming for help. He finally collapsed in the road a few feet from several hospitals and was lucky to survive his encounter."

Snakes tend to have an image problem with a lot of people, but it's important to remember that all of them including the venomous varieties have important functions in the natural world, such as keeping the population of rats and other pests down. For that reason, it's best to not harm them, but understandably most people don't want to regularly find them in their yards. They can minimize those visits by keeping their grass cut low, and not allowing piles of leaves, or other snake friendly debris to accumulate. Using a broom to check denser plants for snakes, and wearing protective footwear and pants will also help, but since Houston and the surrounding area are home to lots of wildlife, it's important to remember that a snake doesn't want to encounter humans anymore than most of us want to encounter them, and they will probably move along if given the opportunity.