Snakes in Wyoming: identification guide and best places to start

What is the most common snake in Wyoming?

The bullsnake is the most frequently encountered snake in Wyoming. It is a large, nonvenomous constrictor often seen on trails and roadsides. Bullsnakes have a blotched pattern and can hiss loudly, but they are harmless and help control rodent populations.

In Wyoming, snakes sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where people are most likely to notice them. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Where are people most likely to notice snakes in Wyoming?

Snakes in Wyoming are most often noticed on warm, sunny afternoons along rocky slopes, prairie dog towns, and near stock ponds. The Bighorn Basin, Shirley Basin, and the Platte River valley are consistent hotspots. In the mountains, look for them on south-facing talus slopes below 8,000 feet.

What season or weather patterns help with snake spotting?

Snakes become active when daytime temperatures reach above 60°F. The best window is late May through early June during the morning hours after a cool night. Overcast days with light wind can also push them onto open ground to absorb heat. In late summer, evening activity increases near water sources.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Simple ID cues that separate Wyoming snakes from lookalikes

Start with the tail: if it ends in a rattle, it is a prairie rattlesnake. Otherwise, look at the head shape. Bullsnakes have a pointed head and round pupils, while garter snakes have a slender neck and keeled scales. The milk snake has red bands bordered by black, mimicking the coral snake pattern but harmless. Use a field guide or check our snake identification hub for photos.

Which venomous snakes live in Wyoming?

Only one venomous species is found in Wyoming: the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). It occurs statewide below about 8,500 feet, especially in the eastern plains and river drainages. It has a triangular head, vertical pupils, and a rattle on the tail. Bites are rare but require immediate medical attention. Keep a respectful distance and never provoke.