Discover 8 Texas Snakes Lurking In and Around the Trinity River

Stretching 710 miles across Texas, the Trinity River is a vital habitat for a diverse variety of wildlife. With its forests, floodplains, and steady water supply, it’s an especially ideal habitat for snakes. This article introduces eight snakes you might see near the Trinity River, with details about how they live, the role they play in the environment, and what you should do if you spot one.

The Trinity River Habitat

Flowing entirely within Texas, the Trinity River winds through forests, swamps, and wetlands filled with trees like oaks, cottonwoods, and sycamores. These areas offer perfect hiding places, basking spots, and plenty of food for snakes. The river is full of fish, frogs, birds, and small mammals, making it a great hunting ground for snakes. The dense plants and seasonal floods also give young snakes places to grow safely.

Texas Biologist Shares Her Favorite Snake Encounters

Wendy Anderson is a biologist with Texas Nature Trackers, a conservation program of Texas Parks and Wildlife. We asked her to share some of her favorite encounters with snake species found in the Trinity River. She said,

“One of my favorite encounters is this Instagram Reel where I pretended to warn my colleague Craig Hensley about the dangers of a water moccasin, and Craig calmly showed that their mere presence doesn’t pose a danger. I love being able to dispel the fear of snakes!”

Wendy had an encounter with a snake in her own yard that showed the need for raising understanding of snakes.

“I had recently gotten my puppy, and let her outside at night. Immediately upon stepping outside, she turned around and gave me a worried look she had never given me before. I immediately thought, ‘She’s telling me there’s a snake under the outdoor couch!’ Sure enough, I lifted the outdoor couch and saw this absolutely beautiful specimen of plain-bellied water snake. This snake will eat fish, frogs, and crayfish, and poses no threat to me or my pets. I thanked the snake for passing through our yard and let it be on its merry way. The unfortunate part of the story is, a couple of weeks later, a neighbor proudly posted a picture of this snake… minus its head. It reminds me to share my passion for snakes and wildlife with my neighbors, and show that we can live safely side by side with them.”

Here are descriptions of the two snakes Wendy mentioned, along with others common to the Trinity River ecosystem.

1. Western Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)

Scientific Name: Agkistrodon piscivorus
Color: Dark brown, olive, or black with faint bands; mouth is bright white inside
Length: 2–4 feet
Venomous: Yes
Habitat: Lives in and near water
Diet: Fish, frogs, birds, small mammals, other snakes

The Western Cottonmouth, also known as the water moccasin, is a heavy-bodied snake with a thick appearance and triangular head. When it feels threatened, it opens its mouth to show off a white lining as a warning. It prefers to stay near water, often resting on logs or rocks. Though venomous, it usually avoids people unless provoked. It’s a strong swimmer and eats a wide variety of animals, helping to control the populations of fish, frogs, and rodents in the river.

2. Plain-bellied Water Snake

Scientific Name: Nerodia erythrogaster
Color: Brown, gray, olive, or greenish black on the back, yellow, cream, orange, or red on the belly
Length: 2–4 feet
Venomous: No
Habitat: Near rivers, ponds, and swamps
Diet: Fish, amphibians, insects
This water-loving snake likes to bask on logs or rocks, but dives into the water if someone gets close. It’s easy to recognize by its solid-colored belly, which helps tell it apart from other water snakes. Though it may look scary, it’s totally harmless and helps manage populations of fish and amphibians.

3. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Scientific Name: Crotalus atrox
Color: Gray or brown with dark diamond shapes and a banded tail with rattles
Length: Up to 5–6 feet
Venomous: Yes
Habitat: Dry or rocky areas near the river
Diet: Small mammals, birds, and sometimes amphibians
This is one of Texas’s most well-known snakes, famous for its rattle and diamond pattern. While it doesn’t live in the water, it often hides in bushes or under rocks near the river. Its rattle gives a clear warning if someone gets too close, and it rarely strikes unless it feels threatened. Its venom is strong and helps it hunt, especially for rodents, which helps balance the ecosystem.

4. Blotched Water Snake

Scientific Name: Nerodia erythrogaster transversa
Color: Brown, olive, or gray with bold rectangular spots; yellow or reddish belly
Length: 2–4 feet
Venomous: No
Habitat: Lives in rivers, lakes, and marshes
Diet: Fish, frogs, other water animals
The Blotched Water Snake lives almost entirely in the water and is often confused with the venomous cottonmouth because of its similar size and color. But this snake is harmless to humans. If threatened, it may release a bad-smelling musk, but it usually just swims away.

5. Texas Rat Snake

Scientific Name: Pantherophis lindheimeri
Color: Yellowish or greenish-gray with dark markings
Length: 5–6+ feet
Venomous: No
Habitat: Forests, fields, and sometimes near water; climbs well
Diet: Rodents, birds, bird eggs, sometimes amphibians
The Texas Rat Snake is one of the largest snakes in the area. It’s strong and can climb trees or buildings in search of food. Its main job in nature is pest control—it eats a lot of mice and rats. Although it’s not venomous, it can mimic rattlesnakes by shaking its tail and releasing a musk. It’s often seen near the river where food is plentiful.

6. Diamondback Water Snake

Scientific Name: Nerodia rhombifer
Color: Brown or gray with dark diamond shapes; yellowish belly with spots
Length: 3–5 feet
Venomous: No
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, and ponds
Diet: Fish, frogs, other aquatic animals
The diamondback water snake is one of the biggest water snakes in Texas. It often gets mistaken for a rattlesnake because of its rough-looking skin and diamond pattern, but it’s harmless. This snake prefers calm water and is very shy—if it sees a person, it usually slips into the water to hide. It plays a big role in keeping fish and frog numbers balanced.

7. Copperhead

Scientific Name: Agkistrodon contortrix
Color: Copper-orange with hourglass-shaped dark markings
Length: Up to 3 feet
Venomous: Yes
Habitat: Wooded or brushy areas near water
Diet: Small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs
The Copperhead is a well-camouflaged snake that blends in with leaves and dirt. It’s usually not aggressive and would rather stay hidden than bite. Bites often happen when someone accidentally steps on or near it. Though venomous, it plays an important role by keeping pests under control and serving as prey for larger animals.

8. Rough Earth Snake

Scientific Name: Haldea striatula
Color: Brown or gray with a faint stripe; shiny, smooth scales
Length: 7–10 inches
Venomous: No
Habitat: Under leaves, logs, or soil in forests and river areas
Diet: Earthworms, slugs, soft insects
The rough earth snake is tiny, secretive, and easy to miss. It hides under leaves or loose soil and is rarely seen unless you’re looking closely. Although small, it helps keep the soil healthy by eating bugs and worms. It doesn’t pose any danger to people and is an important part of the food web.

What to Do If You See a Snake

Because the Trinity River area is full of wildlife, it’s not unusual to come across a snake. Be careful where you walk or place your hands, especially near water or thick vegetation. Most snakes won’t attack unless they feel threatened. If you encounter a snake:

• Stay still and observe it from a distance

• Slowly move away without startling it

• Don’t try to touch, handle, or kill it—this is when most bites happen

• If bitten, get medical help right away—especially if it could be venomous

There’s no need to fear snakes as long as you don’t bother them and keep your distance. It’s easier to appreciate them when you realize how they are part of the balance of nature in the Trinity River’s rich environment.

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