Most snakes are harmless to humans. They pose no real threat, lack venom and are often docile. 
 
However, a few species in Oklahoma do need some special attention. Rather than finding out the hard way – by being bitten and rushed to the emergency room – Mark Turner, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist, offered some helpful tips for identifying the seven venomous snakes in the state.

“All of the venomous snakes in Oklahoma are pit vipers, and they generally have a more triangular-shaped head,” Turner said. “They also have pupil slits, as opposed to the round pupils of nonvenomous snakes in the state.”

One of the most easily recognizable, venomous, Oklahoma snakes is the copperhead. 

“The copperhead is usually 1–3 feet long, and has hourglass-shaped bands that wrap around the body,” Turner said. “These color bands alternate from light to darker tan or brown.” 

Juvenile copperhead snakes may have a yellow or green tip of the tail, but that goes away as the snake matures. A bite from one of these snakes will require a visit to the hospital, but is usually not fatal. 
 
On the other hand, the cottonmouth, or water-moccasin, is one of the most difficult venomous snakes to identify (unless its open mouth can be viewed) because it can have a variety of color patterns. They blend with earth colors, red or brown, and have grayish banding. 

“Cottonmouths are named for the white lining on their mouth, which is visible when they are being defensive,” Turner said. “They also have a dark band on their face that runs behind their eye that can be used for distinguishing cottonmouths from other water snakes. Cottonmouths are only found in the eastern part of the state, and they generally are found around water.” 

Oklahoma also is home to five species of rattlesnake, with the biggest being the western diamondback. 
 
Contrary to the name, western diamondback rattlesnakes do not always have rattles. Although they can have a color variation, they will all have alternating dark and light bands on the tail and interlocking diamond shapes on their backs. 
 
The timber rattlesnake also can have color variations. These snakes can be gray with black bands and an orange stripe down the back, or gold with black bands and a gold stripe down the back. Either combination will be completed with a black tail and extremely docile personality. 
 
The prairie rattlesnake is identifiable by a black band close to the rattle and light stripes down the sides of its face. These two traits are constant while other color variations will exist. 
 
The pygmy rattlesnake, which is very uncommon throughout most of the state, is small, but packs a punch. This gray snake has black spots with a red stripe running the length of its back. 
 
“It is easy to mistake the pygmy rattlesnakes rattle with a bug or mosquito”, Turner said.
 
The final rattlesnake species found in Oklahoma is the western massasauga. This snake has a row of dark brown blotches running the length of its back with three smaller rows of lighter colored blotches along each side. 
 
If one of these seven species is spotted, it is best to leave the area and allow the snake to escape.