Snakes and spiders in Terrell County, Texas
Terrell County, home of Sanderson, has 28 snake and 7 spider species on record, from 566 licensed snake and 55 spider records. Venomous species here: the eastern copperhead, the western diamondback rattlesnake, the rock rattlesnake, the eastern black-tailed rattlesnake, the broad-banded copperhead and the western black widow.
Are there venomous snakes or spiders in Terrell County?
Yes. The eastern copperhead: 111 licensed records, 9% of all Texas records of it. The western diamondback rattlesnake: 61 licensed records, 2% of all Texas records of it. The rock rattlesnake: 35 licensed records, 14% of all Texas records of it. The eastern black-tailed rattlesnake: 16 licensed records, 4% of all Texas records of it. The broad-banded copperhead: 3 licensed records, 1% of all Texas records of it. The western black widow: 4 licensed records, 2% of all Texas records of it.
What snakes are in Terrell County?
In all, 28 snake species are on the Terrell County list. The most recorded are the eastern copperhead (111), the western diamondback rattlesnake (61) and the coachwhip (46).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Texas records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern copperhead venomous Agkistrodon contortrix | 111 | 9% |
| 2 | Western diamondback rattlesnake venomous Crotalus atrox | 61 | 2% |
| 3 | Coachwhip Masticophis flagellum | 46 | 2% |
| 4 | Rock rattlesnake venomous Crotalus lepidus | 35 | 14% |
| 5 | Western ground snake Sonora semiannulata | 35 | 2% |
| 6 | Grey-banded kingsnake Lampropeltis alterna | 28 | 15% |
| 7 | Western ribbon snake Thamnophis proximus | 28 | 1% |
| 8 | Trans-Pecos rat snake Bogertophis subocularis | 25 | 7% |
| 9 | Gopher snake Pituophis catenifer | 17 | 1% |
| 10 | Long-nosed snake Rhinocheilus lecontei | 17 | 2% |
| 11 | Eastern black-tailed rattlesnake venomous Crotalus ornatus | 16 | 4% |
| 12 | Eastern patch-nosed snake Salvadora grahamiae | 15 | 4% |
| 13 | Plain-bellied watersnake Nerodia erythrogaster | 15 | 1% |
| 14 | Striped whipsnake Masticophis taeniatus | 14 | 4% |
| 15 | Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake Gyalopion canum | 11 | 8% |
| 16 | Chihuahuan night snake Hypsiglena jani | 10 | 2% |
| 17 | Plains black-headed snake Tantilla nigriceps | 10 | 2% |
| 18 | Blackneck garter snake Thamnophis cyrtopsis | 9 | 2% |
| 19 | Southwestern blackhead snake Tantilla hobartsmithi | 8 | 7% |
| 20 | Texas blind snake Rena dulcis | 8 | 1% |
| 21 | Great Plains rat snake Pantherophis emoryi | 6 | 1% |
| 22 | Ring-necked snake Diadophis punctatus | 6 | 1% |
| 23 | Big Bend blackhead snake Tantilla cucullata | 3 | 13% |
| 24 | Broad-banded copperhead venomous Agkistrodon laticinctus | 3 | 1% |
| 25 | Rough greensnake Opheodrys aestivus | 3 | 0% |
| 26 | Baird's rat snake Pantherophis bairdi | 2 | 2% |
| 27 | Great Plains ground snake Sonora episcopa | 1 | 1% |
| 28 | Mexican hog-nose snake Heterodon kennerlyi | — | — |
When are snakes out in Terrell County?
Observation records of snakes in Terrell County run mostly March through July, peaking in June with 34% of them; across Texas the peak is April.
What spiders are in Terrell County?
In all, 7 spider species are on the Terrell County list. The most recorded are the Carolina wolf spider (7), the Texas brown tarantula (5) and Hogna antelucana (4).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Texas records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina wolf spider Hogna carolinensis | 7 | 6% |
| 2 | Texas brown tarantula Aphonopelma hentzi | 5 | 2% |
| 3 | Hogna antelucana | 4 | 0% |
| 4 | Western black widow venomous Latrodectus hesperus | 4 | 2% |
| 5 | Giant crab spider Olios giganteus | 3 | 5% |
| 6 | Western spotted orbweaver Neoscona oaxacensis | 3 | 1% |
| 7 | Bold jumper Phidippus audax | 1 | 0% |
When are spiders out in Terrell County?
Observation records of spiders in Terrell County run mostly April through October, peaking in October with 51% of them; across Texas the peak is April.
Common in Texas, not on the Terrell County list
Among the snakes most recorded across Texas, these do not reach the county list: the checkered garter snake (1,851 statewide), the western rat snake (1,769 statewide), the diamondback water snake (1,612 statewide), the rough earthsnake (1,448 statewide) and the DeKay's brown snake (1,037 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: the black-and-yellow argiope (1,979 statewide), the rabid wolf spider (1,048 statewide), the green lynx spider (864 statewide), the spiny-backed orbweaver (751 statewide), the twin-flagged jumping spider (669 statewide) and the striped lynx spider (579 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.
Harmless lookalikes in Terrell County
Copperheads are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the plain-bellied watersnake. No cottonmouths reach the county list, but the northern cottonmouth is on the Texas list: treat any snake like it as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them here: the plain-bellied watersnake. Rattlesnakes are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the gopher snake and the Great Plains rat snake. No coral snakes reach the county list, but the Texas coral snake is on the Texas list: treat any snake like it as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them here: the long-nosed snake.
Terrell County among Texas counties
By licensed snake records Terrell County ranks 12th of 254 Texas counties with any.
Other Texas counties with their own page: Travis County, Brewster County, Harris County, Brazos County, El Paso County, Jeff Davis County, Val Verde County and Bexar County.
The whole state: venomous species in Texas, all snakes, all spiders.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.