Snakes and spiders in Harris County, Texas

Yes. The northern cottonmouth: 143 licensed records, 14% of all Texas records of it. The eastern copperhead: 48 licensed records, 4% of all Texas records of it. The Texas coral snake: 40 licensed records, 7% of all Texas records of it. The pygmy rattlesnake: 10 licensed records, 10% of all Texas records of it. The brown widow: 21 licensed records, 23% of all Texas records of it. The southern black widow: 3 licensed records, 2% of all Texas records of it.

In all, 23 snake species are on the Harris County list. The most recorded are the southern watersnake (312), the western ribbon snake (175) and the northern cottonmouth (143).

Observation records of snakes in Harris County run mostly March through November, peaking in April with 22% of them, the same peak as Texas as a whole.

In all, 74 spider species are on the Harris County list. The most recorded are the twin-flagged jumping spider (119), the black-and-yellow argiope (80) and the spiny-backed orbweaver (79). Harris County holds more than half of all Texas records of the blacktailed red sheetweaver and the yellow ghost spider.

Observation records of spiders in Harris County run through most of the year, peaking in April with 20% of them, the same peak as Texas as a whole.

Species for which Harris County holds a large share of all Texas records: the southern watersnake, 38% (312 of 814); the salt marsh snake, 38% (113 of 299); the magnolia green jumper, 33% (19 of 58); the basilica orbweaver, 30% (13 of 43); the heptagonal orbweaver, 27% (10 of 37); the pantropical jumper, 24% (72 of 300); the brown widow, 23% (21 of 91); the common house spider, 22% (13 of 58).

Among the snakes most recorded across Texas, these do not reach the county list: the western diamondback rattlesnake (2,667 statewide), the western ground snake (1,963 statewide), the checkered garter snake (1,851 statewide) and the gopher snake (1,440 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 Texas, these do not reach the county list: Hogna antelucana (805 statewide), Cicurina varians (514 statewide) and the western spotted orbweaver (465 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.

Copperheads are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the plain-bellied watersnake and the eastern hog-nosed snake. Cottonmouths are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the southern watersnake, the plain-bellied watersnake, the diamondback water snake and the green water snake. Rattlesnakes are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the eastern hog-nosed snake. Widow spiders are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the common house spider and the triangulate bud spider. No recluse spiders reach the county list, but the brown recluse, the Texas recluse, the Big Bend recluse and the Apache recluse are on the Texas list: treat any spider like them as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them here: the southern house spider.

By licensed snake records Harris County ranks 3rd of 254 Texas counties with any.

Other Texas counties with their own page: Travis County, Brewster County, Brazos County, El Paso County, Jeff Davis County, Val Verde County, Bexar County and Hudspeth County.

The whole state: venomous species in Texas, all snakes, all spiders.