Venomous snakes and spiders in Oregon

The only venomous snake on the Oregon list is the western rattlesnake, with 171 licensed records, 2% of all snake records in the state.

One widow species (Western black widow: 22 records) is on the Oregon list. There is no recluse spider on the Oregon list: no recluse species reaches 10 records in the state. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.

Yes. Three scorpion species are recorded in Oregon, from 80 licensed records: California forest scorpion (63 records), Northern scorpion (16 records), Black hairy scorpion (on record). Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Oregon list.

Beyond the main list, two scorpion species are known from Oregon by only 3 to 9 records each. Some are genuine rarities at the edge of their range; others may be strays, released pets or old misidentifications, so treat them as unconfirmed.

These eight account for 96% of all licensed snake records in Oregon; the most recorded, the northwestern garter snake, alone for 31%.

These eight account for 48% of all licensed spider records in Oregon; the most recorded, the garden spider, alone for 13%.

Observation records of venomous snakes in Oregon run mostly May through August, peaking in July with 28% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so venomous snakes in Oregon are rarely recorded in winter.

Observation records of spiders in Oregon run mostly March through October, peaking in June with 16% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 4% of the records.

Observation records of scorpions in Oregon run mostly March through September, peaking in May with 24% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 5% of the records.

Harney County has the most records of venomous snakes in Oregon, 32, most of them of the western rattlesnake. Malheur County and Crook County follow.

Jackson County leads with 1,202 records (16%), followed by Klamath County and Tillamook County; the top five counties hold 46% of the total. 36 of Oregon's 36 counties have at least one licensed snake record.

Oregon counties with their own page: Benton County, Columbia County, Curry County, Jackson County, Klamath County, Lane County and Multnomah County.

Yes. Oregon has one venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: western rattlesnake. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).

Yes. One species is on the Oregon list: the western rattlesnake, with 171 licensed records. Most licensed records of the western rattlesnake come from Harney County, Malheur County and Crook County.

Not on our list: GBIF holds 2 copperhead records of any license in Oregon (eastern copperhead 2), fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Treat any snake that looks like a copperhead or cottonmouth as venomous.

No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Oregon under any license.

No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for Oregon under any license.

Oregon has 171 licensed records of the western rattlesnake, which ranks the state 6th of the 9 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Oregon run mostly May through August, peaking in July; most licensed records come from Harney County, Malheur County and Crook County. Range in other states and photos: Western rattlesnake profile.

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 Oregon.

Copperheads are not on the Oregon list, but they are recorded in Oregon two times (records of any license: eastern copperhead 2): treat any snake like this as venomous until identified.

Rattlesnakes: 171 licensed records in Oregon. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: gopher snake (325). It has 325 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 1.9 times as often.

No coral snakes reach the Oregon list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Oregon under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: California mountain kingsnake (14).

Widow spiders: 22 licensed records in Oregon. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: false black widow (27), triangulate bud spider (27) and common house spider (5). Together they have 59 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 3 times as often.

No recluse spiders reach the Oregon list, and GBIF holds no recluse spider record for Oregon under any license, so a spider taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: longbodied cellar spider (62), hobo spider (18) and spitting spider (2).

By count of venomous snake species, Oregon ranks 37th of 50 states, level with 8 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.

Of the four states bordering Oregon, California, Nevada and Idaho list more venomous snake species; Washington lists as many (Oregon: 1 species; California 7, Nevada 6, Idaho 2, Washington 1).

Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Oregon: the Mohave rattlesnake (California and Nevada); the Panamint rattlesnake (California and Nevada); the sidewinder (California and Nevada); the southwestern speckled rattlesnake (California and Nevada); the western diamondback rattlesnake (California and Nevada); the prairie rattlesnake (Idaho). The most widely shared is the western rattlesnake, listed in all four bordering states.

Yes. One widow species is on the Oregon list: the western black widow (22 records).

No. GBIF holds no brown recluse record for Oregon under any license.

Oregon has 22 licensed records of the western black widow, which ranks the state 9th of the 18 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Western black widow profile.