These Massive Texas Snakes Can Grow Over 8 Feet Long

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes snakes. In fact you could say it is a snake utopia, with a wide range of habitats, a warm climate, and a steady supply of food. We’ll introduce you to the biggest snake species, tell you which ones are venomous, and just how big these creatures can get. Spoiler alert: the longest one is the length of a surfing longboard!

How Many Snake Species Live in Texas?

More than 105 snake species and subspecies have been recorded in Texas—more than in most other U.S. states. Of these, only four main types are venomous to humans: rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, and coral snakes. Other species are harmless for the most part, and all of them play a valuable role in controlling pest populations. By the way, why do we say non-venomous snakes are “harmless for the most part?” Because they can bite, causing painful lacerations, possible infection, and exposure to certain diseases like Salmonella. So venomous or not, respect snakes and admire them from a safe distance.

Why Does Texas Have So Many Snakes?

To understand why Texas has so many snakes, we reached out to Wendy Anderson, a biologist with Texas Nature Trackers. TNT is a wildlife conservation program of Texas Parks and Wildlife. It tracks the status of plants and animals throughout Texas.

Just how big can they get? Check out these top species:

8. Cottonmouth

Scientific Name: Agkistrodon piscivorus
Max Length: Up to 4 feet
Average Weight: 2–5 pounds
Habitat: Wetlands, swamps, riverbanks

Also called water moccasins, cottonmouths are venomous snakes often found near water. They get their name from the white interior of their mouth, which they display when threatened. These snakes eat fish, frogs, and small mammals. While they can be defensive, they generally avoid human contact.

7. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Scientific Name: Crotalus atrox
Max Length: Up to 5 feet, with individuals reportedly reaching 7 feet.
Average Weight: 2–6 pounds
Habitat: Dry brush, deserts, rocky hills

One of the most recognizable venomous snakes in Texas, the western diamondback has a distinct rattle and diamond-shaped patterns along its back. It preys on small mammals and tries to avoid people. There’s some disagreement about just how long they can get.

“Western diamondback rattlesnakes can get huge here, sometimes over 5 feet,” Anderson says. “It is hard to get a size comparison or a measurement of rattlesnakes because, well, who wants to get that close to a venomous snake?”

There are credible reports of individual snakes reaching 7 feet long, but these are considered to be outliers from the species norm.

6. Black-Tailed Rattlesnake

Scientific Name: Crotalus molossus
Max Length: Up to 5 feet
Average Weight: 2–5 pounds
Habitat: Rocky deserts, canyons, scrublands

This venomous species prefers dry, rocky environments and hunts rodents and lizards. Though powerful, it typically stays hidden and only strikes when provoked. As a pit viper, the black-tailed rattlesnake has heat-sensing pits between its eyes and nostrils that detect the body heat of prey. This allows it to hunt even in darkness with remarkable precision. It uses long, hinged fangs to inject venom that immobilizes and begins digesting its prey. While capable of delivering a dangerous bite, it usually relies on camouflage and gives a warning rattle before striking.

5. Speckled Kingsnake

Scientific Name: Lampropeltis holbrooki
Max Length: Up to 6 feet
Average Weight: 1–3 pounds
Habitat: Woodlands, farms, suburban areas

Recognizable by its glossy black body with white or yellow spots, the speckled kingsnake is nonvenomous and known for eating other snakes, including venomous ones. Common around barns and fields, it helps control pests near homes. And here’s a fun fact. Some people call it the “salt and pepper snake” because of its speckled monochrome coloring.

4. Western Coachwhip

Scientific Name: Masticophis flagellum
Max Length: Up to 6 feet
Average Weight: 1–2 pounds
Habitat: Open plains, deserts, scrublands

This fast, slender snake has a braided appearance and is active during the day. It feeds on lizards, birds, and small mammals. Though nonvenomous, it’s quick to flee and rarely seen up close. The western coachwhip gets its name from its long, tapering body that resembles a whip, and its scales often display a striking gradient of color, from pinkish or tan near the head to dark brown or black toward the tail. This coloration provides camouflage in dry, open habitats, helping it avoid predators while it hunts at high speed.

3. Great Plains Rat Snake

Scientific Name: Pantherophis emoryi
Max Length: Up to 6 feet
Average Weight: 1–2.5 pounds
Habitat: Grasslands, farms, rocky areas

A close relative of the Texas rat snake, this species favors drier, open areas. Active during daylight, it plays a crucial role in rodent control in both wild and agricultural settings. The Great Plains rat snake is nonvenomous and typically calm in nature, often freezing or relying on camouflage when approached. Its coloration—a mix of gray, tan, and brown blotches—helps it blend into grasslands and rocky terrain. Farmers often appreciate its presence, as it helps reduce populations of mice and other pests without posing a threat to people or livestock.

2. Texas Rat Snake

Scientific Name: Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri
Max Length: Up to 7 feet
Average Weight: 1–2.5 pounds
Habitat: Forest edges, wetlands, suburban neighborhoods

Texas rat snakes are excellent climbers and come in various colors. They’re often seen near barns, homes, and old buildings while hunting for rodents or birds. Though they may hiss loudly when surprised, they are harmless and helpful around human dwellings. Their agility allows them to scale walls and trees with ease, sometimes startling homeowners who spot them high off the ground. Despite this, they pose no real danger and are best left alone to do their part in pest control.

1. Texas Indigo Snake

Scientific Name: Drymarchon melanurus erebennus
Max Length: Up to 8.5 feet
Average Weight: 4–10 pounds
Habitat: Woodlands, riverbanks, prairies

The Texas indigo is the largest native snake in the state. With shiny dark blue-black scales, it’s a powerful nonvenomous species capable of preying on rattlesnakes. These snakes prefer open areas near water and tend to avoid developed areas. They are generally shy and will escape rather than confront a threat. Despite their size, they pose no danger to humans and play a beneficial role in the ecosystem. Their dark, glossy coloration—almost iridescent in sunlight—can stand out against dry grass or pale soil, making them easier to spot despite their secretive nature.

What Texans Should Know About These Giants

Many of the largest snakes in Texas are harmless and beneficial. Species like rat snakes, kingsnakes, and coachwhips sometimes live near homes or farms. That’s a good thing because they keep down rodent populations and, in some cases, eat other snakes, including venomous ones. Speaking of which, venomous species—including the western diamondback, cottonmouth, and black-tailed rattlesnake—usually avoid people and only strike when threatened. The main thing to remember is that each species plays a role in the balance of nature. The best thing we can do is usually to stay out of the way and let nature do its thing.

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