The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is no stranger to travelers, as it is a thick-bodied reptile with 3 to 5-foot lengths that can reach up to 6 feet at times. Timbers are recognizable by their yellowish-brown tints, dark black botches, velvet tails, and dark stripes descending and backward near the jawline. They can be discovered nearly anywhere on the eastern coast of the U.S. but also stretch to other states.
Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma, commonly known as the Western Cottonmouth or Water moccasin, is thick-bodied like others on this list, but maintains complexions of saw-like edges and bands difficult to see with the naked eye. These snakes are visible with their lighter cream pinstripes, big white mouths, and elliptical pupils, and do stand out with massive triangular heads that make it easy to confuse with Floridian species or other dark-colored snakes near bodies of water.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, or Crotalus atrox, measure 3 to 5 feet long and can grow up to 7 feet. Known to be one of the largest rattlesnakes in the western U.S., these reptiles are quite scary! Even with their heavy bodies and diamond-backed patterns, their dark cheek stripes are quite noticeable. Most commonly found in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, these rattlesnakes are quite a sight and are most often seen around dry mountain areas and prairies, as well as rocky canyon tourist zones.
The Western Massasauga or Sistrurus catenatus terminus is a light grey snake with 1.5 to 2.5-foot lengths that is observable with its white or cream features and scattered black markings. Similar to species like the Timber Rattlesnake, these types have diagonal cheek stripes going down and backward near the jaw. They like using their rattling tails to signal for noise and disruption and are hungry for frogs, lizards, and rodents.
Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri), also called "Ground Rattlers," are red or rusty-colored reptiles that have red stripes and a rattle that is somewhat quiet or unhearable from a distance. It is unique in that it possesses nine enlarged head scales, unlike most rattlesnakes. This snake is a fierce 1 to 2-foot length creature that can be discovered around the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Texas, and Tennessee.
