Snakes and spiders in Cherokee County, Oklahoma
Cherokee County, home of Tahlequah, has 20 snake and 10 spider species on record, from 332 licensed snake and 10 spider records. Venomous species here: the eastern copperhead, the timber rattlesnake and the northern cottonmouth.
Are there venomous snakes or spiders in Cherokee County?
Yes. The eastern copperhead: 25 licensed records, 8% of all Oklahoma records of it. The timber rattlesnake: 7 licensed records, 6% of all Oklahoma records of it. The northern cottonmouth: 6 licensed records, 1% of all Oklahoma records of it.
What snakes are in Cherokee County?
In all, 20 snake species are on the Cherokee County list. The most recorded are the western ground snake (48), the ring-necked snake (41) and the eastern copperhead (25).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Oklahoma records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western ground snake Sonora semiannulata | 48 | 4% |
| 2 | Ring-necked snake Diadophis punctatus | 41 | 5% |
| 3 | Eastern copperhead venomous Agkistrodon contortrix | 25 | 8% |
| 4 | Northern water snake Nerodia sipedon | 23 | 12% |
| 5 | Western rat snake Pantherophis obsoletus | 17 | 3% |
| 6 | Flathead snake Tantilla gracilis | 15 | 1% |
| 7 | Western worm snake Carphophis vermis | 13 | 6% |
| 8 | Common garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis | 11 | 4% |
| 9 | Plain-bellied watersnake Nerodia erythrogaster | 11 | 2% |
| 10 | Rough earthsnake Haldea striatula | 11 | 4% |
| 11 | Coachwhip Masticophis flagellum | 10 | 2% |
| 12 | Rough greensnake Opheodrys aestivus | 10 | 3% |
| 13 | Western ribbon snake Thamnophis proximus | 10 | 2% |
| 14 | DeKay's brown snake Storeria dekayi | 9 | 3% |
| 15 | Eastern racer Coluber constrictor | 9 | 2% |
| 16 | Eastern hog-nosed snake Heterodon platirhinos | 8 | 4% |
| 17 | Speckled kingsnake Lampropeltis holbrooki | 7 | 3% |
| 18 | Timber rattlesnake venomous Crotalus horridus | 7 | 6% |
| 19 | Central plains milksnake Lampropeltis gentilis | 6 | 9% |
| 20 | Northern cottonmouth venomous Agkistrodon piscivorus | 6 | 1% |
What spiders are in Cherokee County?
In all, 10 spider species are on the Cherokee County list. The most recorded are the Texas brown tarantula (2) and the black-and-yellow argiope (1).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Oklahoma records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas brown tarantula Aphonopelma hentzi | 2 | 3% |
| 2 | Black-and-yellow argiope Argiope aurantia | 1 | 0% |
| 3 | Bold jumper Phidippus audax | — | — |
| 4 | Bronze jumper Eris militaris | — | — |
| 5 | Dark fishing spider Dolomedes tenebrosus | — | — |
| 6 | Familiar jumping spider Platycryptus undatus | — | — |
| 7 | Green lynx spider Peucetia viridans | — | — |
| 8 | Nursery web spider Pisaurina mira | — | — |
| 9 | Rabid wolf spider Rabidosa rabida | — | — |
| 10 | Spotted orbweaver Neoscona crucifera | — | — |
Common in Oklahoma, not on the Cherokee County list
Among the snakes most recorded across Oklahoma, these do not reach the county list: the diamondback water snake (506 statewide), the lined snake (480 statewide) and the western diamondback rattlesnake (417 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.
Among the spiders most recorded across Oklahoma, these do not reach the county list: the dimorphic jumper (150 statewide), the flea jumping spider (144 statewide), the brown recluse (137 statewide) and the striped lynx spider (98 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.
Harmless lookalikes in Cherokee County
Copperheads are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the northern water snake, the plain-bellied watersnake, the eastern hog-nosed snake and the central plains milksnake. Cottonmouths are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the northern water snake and the plain-bellied watersnake. Rattlesnakes are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the eastern hog-nosed snake. No coral snakes reach the county list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Oklahoma under any license, so one reported here is most likely a harmless lookalike: the central plains milksnake.
Cherokee County among Oklahoma counties
By licensed snake records Cherokee County ranks 10th of 77 Oklahoma counties with any.
Other Oklahoma counties with their own page: Tulsa County, Comanche County, LeFlore County, Cleveland County, McCurtain County, Okmulgee County, Marshall County and Rogers County.
The whole state: venomous species in Oklahoma, all snakes, all spiders.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.