Active venomous snakes in Kentucky

WARREN COUNTY, Ky.- It’s officially fall. The weather is more comfortable than ever, but there’s a greater possibility that you might run into a venomous snake. There are 32 different kinds of snakes in Kentucky, and four of those snakes are extremely venomous.

Snakes often like to lay underneath things. For example, snakes that are typically found in your backyard might slither into small crevices on the side of your house, and larger snakes found in fields might slide underneath metal debris.

In the beginning of October you may see a lot of snakes in the middle of the road. That’s because snakes typically migrate when the seasons change. This fall you could see snakes like cottonmouths, timber rattlesnakes and copperheads.

According to John Macgregor, the State Herpetologist, “The further north you go the fewer kinds of snakes you have, but copperheads are pretty common all through Warren County where it’s forest. Most snake bites happen when either you step on a snake or you’re trying to catch it or your trying to kill it.

“Its pretty common for someone to be bitten by the copperhead snake, and with out medical attention that bite could lead to death. Experts say to back away from the snake and take the bite seriously by always seeking medical attention. For more information visit https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Reptiles-and-Amphibians.aspx.

Below are just a couple of the four snakes that are venomous in Kentucky.