Venomous Snakes of Texas

If you enjoy reptiles, Texas is a terrific place to be. With more than 120 species to choose from, our state has more snakes than any other. Fifteen species of native Texas snakes are available for your viewing pleasure in the exhibit. From the much-discussed Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to the beautiful Texas Coral Snake, you will have an opportunity to sort fact from fable by learning more about the lives of these fascinating, often-feared and misunderstood creatures.

Photographs and the opportunity to closely examine live examples provide a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge in the identification of snakes. Several species of non-venomous snakes are included for comparison with the venomous species they most resemble. Information on snake bites and venom is available as well.

A 6 x 10 foot enclosure allows our Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake and two Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes freedom of movement. While snakes do spend a lot of time simply lying still, we hope visitors will be able to witness some interesting natural behavior. Other species included in the exhibit are the Broad-banded Copperhead, the Blotched Water Snake, the Canebrake Rattlesnake, the Western Cottonmouth, the Desert Massasauga, the Louisiana Milk Snake, the Mottled Rock Rattlesnake, the Prairie Rattlesnake, the Southern Copperhead, the Texas Coral Snake, the Western Massasauga and the Western Pygmy Rattlesnake.

In addition to the live snakes, several other displays round out this exhibit:

• Learn more about snake evolution with discussion, diagrams, and example fossils illustrating the origins of these creatures.
  
• Handle shed skins, snake eggs, bones, rattlesnake rattles, and other touchable at a snake touch table.
  
• Children can explore patterns with a hands-on activity in which they create and compare their own three-dimensional snake patterns.
  We hope you'll visit our snakes in their new homes. While many fear them, venomous snakes are amazing creatures whose venom is designed for capturing prey, not attacking humans. Each year in Texas, more human deaths can be attributed to lightning strikes than to snake bites. All living things have a place in nature, a role to play. Come see how the venomous snakes fit in!