Venomous snakes and spiders in Louisiana
Louisiana has five venomous snake species among the 41 snake species listed there: northern cottonmouth, eastern copperhead, pygmy rattlesnake, Texas coral snake and timber rattlesnake. The eastern coral snake is recorded there too, but only eight times (records of any license), too few to list. The northern cottonmouth accounts for the most records (434), and venomous species make up 15% of all 5,026 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, four species are medically significant: brown widow, southern black widow, northern black widow and brown recluse.
Venomous snakes of Louisiana
Louisiana's venomous snakes are two copperhead or cottonmouth species, two rattlesnake species and one coral snake species. Together they account for 735 licensed records; the northern cottonmouth alone has 59% of them, and the least recorded, the timber rattlesnake, has 38.
Also recorded in Louisiana under any license, but fewer than 10 times and so not counted above: the eastern coral snake (8). Such records can be genuine rarities, strays or old misidentifications; see the rare list.
Dangerous spiders of Louisiana
Three widow species (Brown widow: 27 records, Southern black widow: 13 records, Northern black widow: 2 records) and one recluse species (Brown recluse: 1 record) are on the Louisiana list. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Are there scorpions in Louisiana?
Yes. One scorpion species is recorded in Louisiana, from 32 licensed records: Striped bark scorpion (28 records). Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Louisiana list.
Also recorded in Louisiana, fewer than 10 times
Beyond the main list, one scorpion species is known from Louisiana by only nine records of any license. It may be a genuine rarity at the edge of its range, or a stray, a released pet or an old misidentification, so treat it as unconfirmed.
Other snakes recorded most in Louisiana
These eight account for 58% of all licensed snake records in Louisiana; the most recorded, the southern watersnake, alone for 13%.
Other spiders recorded most in Louisiana
These eight account for 40% of all licensed spider records in Louisiana; the most recorded, the twin-flagged jumping spider, alone for 9%.
All 107 spiders of Louisiana →
When venomous snakes are out in Louisiana
Observation records of venomous snakes in Louisiana run through most of the year, peaking in April with 23% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 12% of the records.
Season of each venomous snake
| Species | Main season | Peak month | Winter share | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern cottonmouth | most of the year | April | 11% | 208 |
| Eastern copperhead | most of the year | April | 16% | 43 |
When spiders are most active in Louisiana
Observation records of spiders in Louisiana run mostly March through November, peaking in April with 15% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 9% of the records.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
East Baton Rouge Parish has the most records of venomous snakes in Louisiana, 80, most of them of the northern cottonmouth. Saint Tammany Parish and Natchitoches Parish follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Baton Rouge Parish | 80 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 2 | Saint Tammany Parish | 44 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 3 | Natchitoches Parish | 43 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 4 | Ouachita Parish | 37 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 5 | Plaquemines Parish | 29 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 6 | Vernon Parish | 27 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 7 | Saint John the Baptist Parish | 25 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 8 | Orleans Parish | 24 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 9 | Jefferson Parish | 23 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 10 | Saint Landry Parish | 22 | Northern cottonmouth |
Where in Louisiana are snakes recorded most?
East Baton Rouge Parish leads with 745 records (15%), followed by Saint Tammany Parish and Jefferson Parish; the top five counties hold 36% of the total. 64 of Louisiana's 64 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Baton Rouge Parish | 745 | 14.8% |
| 2 | Saint Tammany Parish | 379 | 7.5% |
| 3 | Jefferson Parish | 301 | 6.0% |
| 4 | Natchitoches Parish | 190 | 3.8% |
| 5 | Ouachita Parish | 175 | 3.5% |
| 6 | Plaquemines Parish | 142 | 2.8% |
| 7 | Saint James Parish | 139 | 2.8% |
| 8 | Jackson Parish | 135 | 2.7% |
| 9 | Lafayette Parish | 127 | 2.5% |
| 10 | Orleans Parish | 125 | 2.5% |
| 11 | Saint Bernard Parish | 124 | 2.5% |
| 12 | Cameron Parish | 120 | 2.4% |
Louisiana counties with their own page: East Baton Rouge Parish, Jefferson Parish and Saint Tammany Parish.
Are there poisonous snakes in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana has five venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: northern cottonmouth, eastern copperhead, pygmy rattlesnake, Texas coral snake and timber rattlesnake. The eastern coral snake is recorded there too, but only eight times (records of any license), too few to list. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Louisiana?
Yes. Two species are on the Louisiana list: the pygmy rattlesnake and the timber rattlesnake, with 124 licensed records between them. Most licensed records of the pygmy rattlesnake come from Saint Bernard Parish, Saint Tammany Parish and Iberia Parish.
Are there copperheads in Louisiana?
Yes. One species is on the Louisiana list: the eastern copperhead, with 139 licensed records. Most licensed records of the eastern copperhead come from Ouachita Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish and Lafayette Parish.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Louisiana?
Yes. One species is on the Louisiana list: the northern cottonmouth, with 434 licensed records. Most licensed records of the northern cottonmouth come from East Baton Rouge Parish, Saint Tammany Parish and Saint John the Baptist Parish.
Are there coral snakes in Louisiana?
Yes. One species is on the Louisiana list: the Texas coral snake, with 38 licensed records. Most licensed records of the Texas coral snake come from Jackson Parish, Natchitoches Parish and Allen Parish. The eastern coral snake is recorded there too, but only eight times (records of any license), too few to list.
Northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Louisiana has 434 licensed records of the northern cottonmouth, which ranks the state 3rd of the 16 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Louisiana run through most of the year, peaking in April; most licensed records come from East Baton Rouge Parish, Saint Tammany Parish and Saint John the Baptist Parish. Range in other states and photos: Northern cottonmouth profile.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Louisiana has 139 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 11th of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Louisiana run through most of the year, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Ouachita Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish and Lafayette Parish. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)
Louisiana has 86 licensed records of the pygmy rattlesnake, which ranks the state 4th of the 11 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Louisiana come from Saint Bernard Parish, Saint Tammany Parish and Iberia Parish. Range in other states and photos: Pygmy rattlesnake profile.
Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener)
Louisiana has 38 licensed records of the Texas coral snake, which ranks the state 2nd of the 2 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Louisiana come from Jackson Parish, Natchitoches Parish and Allen Parish. Range in other states and photos: Texas coral snake profile.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Louisiana has 38 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 18th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Louisiana come from Natchitoches Parish, Plaquemines Parish and Rapides Parish. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Louisiana
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in Louisiana.
What looks like a copperhead in Louisiana
Copperheads: 139 licensed records in Louisiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: plain-bellied watersnake (216), eastern hog-nosed snake (86), eastern milksnake (41), eastern rat snake (29) and northern water snake (26). Together they have 430 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 3 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in Louisiana
Cottonmouths: 434 licensed records in Louisiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: southern watersnake (673), green water snake (450), diamondback water snake (296), plain-bellied watersnake (216) and mud snake (98). Together they have 1,759 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 4 times as often.
What looks like a rattlesnake in Louisiana
Rattlesnakes: 124 licensed records in Louisiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern hog-nosed snake (86) and Louisiana pinesnake (11). Together they have 97 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a coral snake in Louisiana
Coral snakes: 38 licensed records in Louisiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern milksnake (41), scarlet snake (21), central plains milksnake (13) and scarlet kingsnake (12). Together they have 87 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 2.3 times as often.
What looks like a widow spider in Louisiana
Widow spiders: 42 licensed records in Louisiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: common house spider (28) and triangulate bud spider (24). Together they have 52 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a recluse spider in Louisiana
Recluse spiders: 1 licensed record in Louisiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: southern house spider (17) and longbodied cellar spider (6). Together they have 23 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 23 times as often.
How Louisiana compares
By count of venomous snake species, Louisiana ranks 12th of 50 states, level with 5 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Of the three states bordering Louisiana, Texas lists more venomous snake species; Arkansas and Mississippi list as many (Louisiana: 5 species; Texas 12, Arkansas 5, Mississippi 5).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Louisiana: the western diamondback rattlesnake (Arkansas and Texas); the broad-banded copperhead (Texas); the eastern black-tailed rattlesnake (Texas); the Mohave rattlesnake (Texas); the prairie rattlesnake (Texas); the rock rattlesnake (Texas). Listed next door and recorded in Louisiana too, but too few times to list (records of any license): the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, recorded here only two times (listed in Mississippi). The most widely shared are the eastern copperhead, the northern cottonmouth, the pygmy rattlesnake and the timber rattlesnake, each listed in all three bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Louisiana?
Does Louisiana have black widows?
Yes. Three widow species are on the Louisiana list: the brown widow (27 records), the southern black widow (13 records) and the northern black widow (2 records).
Does Louisiana have brown recluse spiders?
Yes. The brown recluse is on the Louisiana list, with 1 licensed record.
Brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus)
Louisiana has 27 licensed records of the brown widow, which ranks the state 5th of the 11 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Brown widow profile.
Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Louisiana has 13 licensed records of the southern black widow, which ranks the state 17th of the 22 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Southern black widow profile.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Louisiana has 2 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 27th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
Louisiana has 1 licensed record of the brown recluse, which ranks the state 16th of the 16 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Brown recluse profile.
More for Louisiana
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.