9 Types of Snakes in Montana

1. What are the most common snakes in Montana?

The prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is the only venomous species, but you will also frequently encounter the bullsnake, gopher snake, plains garter snake, and wandering garter snake. The bullsnake is often mistaken for a rattler due to its similar pattern and defensive hissing. The gopher snake is another common look-alike with a similar body pattern and aggressive stance. Plains garter snakes are smaller and more slender, often found near water. For more details on identification, visit our snake species hub at /animals/snake.

Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around where in the state people usually notice them first, keep one backup area in mind, and use the animal facts page plus tour planning ideas to compare what a realistic outing looks like in Montana. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.

2. Where in Montana do people usually spot snakes first?

The eastern two-thirds of Montana offer the best odds for snake sightings, particularly in the Missouri River breaks and the prairie regions around Miles City and Jordan. Dry, open areas with rocky outcrops or sagebrush are prime spots. You are most likely to find them on south-facing slopes where they bask in the morning sun.

See our state wildlife page at /wildlife/montana for the next step.

In Montana, snakes sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use the state wildlife hub at /wildlife/montana and the route guide at /wildlife/montana/snake 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. The western mountains support fewer snakes overall because cooler temperatures and higher elevation limit suitable habitat.

3. How can you tell a prairie rattlesnake from a bullsnake?

Look at the head shape and tail. Prairie rattlesnakes have a broad, triangular head and a blunt tail with a rattle. Bullsnakes have a narrower head and a pointed tail, and they lack a rattle. Bullsnakes also hiss loudly and vibrate their tail against dry leaves, which can sound like a rattle. Check the pupil: rattlers have vertical pupils, bullsnakes have round ones.

Another reliable field mark is the heat-sensing pit. Prairie rattlesnakes have a deep pit between the eye and nostril (a sensitive heat organ), while bullsnakes and gopher snakes completely lack this pit. The rattlesnake's facial anatomy is distinctly different when you look closely. At distance, if you hear a rattle-like sound, freeze and look for actual rattles at the tail tip. Bullsnakes are faster and more aggressive in their defense display, often striking at the air with their mouth closed. Rattlesnakes typically warn first with a rattle and will only strike if you continue advancing.

See our state animal guide at /wildlife/montana/snake for the next step.

4. When is the best season for snake sightings in Montana?

Snakes are active from late April through early October. The peak period is May to June when they emerge from hibernation and are more visible while basking and moving to feeding grounds. Late August through September can also be good as they prepare for winter and increase feeding activity. Mornings and late afternoons on warm days (55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) provide the best viewing windows.

Spring is the easiest time to spot snakes because they are still sluggish from hibernation and spend long hours basking to warm their bodies. Summer activity dips midday when they retreat to shade, so plan your outing for dawn or late afternoon. Early fall is excellent if warm days persist, as snakes are less cautious about visible basking before denning season. Avoid cold snaps or heavy rain, when snakes go underground and become nearly invisible.

5. What habitats do Montana snakes prefer?

Most snakes favor dry, open habitats: shortgrass prairie, sagebrush flats, rocky hillsides, and river bluffs. The prairie rattlesnake is often found near prairie dog towns where it hunts ground squirrels and small mammals. Bullsnakes prefer sandy soils and agricultural edges, including old barns and grasslands. Garter snakes stay closer to water sources like streams, ponds, and wetland margins where they hunt small fish, tadpoles, and insects.

The northern prairies around Fort Peck Lake support a different mix than the drier central grasslands. Rocky breaks along the Missouri River concentrate snakes because the thermal diversity (sunny slopes, shaded crevices, water access) offers year-round resources. Shrubland transitions between sagebrush and grassland are particularly productive because they provide both open basking areas and dense cover for hunting. Avoid expecting snakes in dense conifer forests or alpine zones, where few species venture and cold limits their range.

6. Are there any lookalikes to watch out for in Montana?

Yes, the bullsnake, gopher snake, and even young prairie rattlesnakes can confuse identification in the field. Both bullsnakes and gopher snakes have similar blotchy patterns and can have the same coloration as rattlesnakes. The key differences are the tail, pupil shape, and heat pit. Only rattlesnakes have a rattle. Also, rattlesnakes have a distinct heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril, which nonvenomous species lack. Always keep a safe distance and use binoculars or a telephoto lens for a closer look.

Gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer) are particularly confusing because they flatten their head when threatened, mimicking a rattler's triangular profile. Look for the gopher snake's more uniform body length (no neck narrowing) and check for the rattle. Hognose snakes are rare in Montana but can also play dead or flatten their head. When in doubt, assume the snake is venomous, back away, and observe from a safe distance. Taking a photo with a telephoto lens and reviewing it later is safer and more reliable than immediate field ID.

7. What gear helps with snake spotting and identification?

A good pair of binoculars and a field guide are essential. For comfortable long hours in the field, consider a lightweight field bag and sun protection. After your trip, wear your interest on your sleeve with the Rattlesnake Graphic T-Shirt or the Green Viper Snake T-Shirt. Both are great for showing off your herping finds. Check out our snake-themed t-shirts for more options.

Retro Cute Snake T-Shirt

A strong match for this wildlife page and an easy next click after the guide.Check Price and Availability

8. How do you safely encounter a snake in Montana?

If you spot a snake, stop and give it at least 6 to 8 feet of space. Most snakes will move away if you hold still and let them leave. Do not block their escape route. If the snake seems to have nowhere to go, slowly back away and give it a clear path. Do not throw objects, stomp your feet, or try to provoke it. If you accidentally step near one, stay calm and back away. Snakes are far more scared of you than you should be of them.

For rattlesnakes specifically, listen for the warning rattle before you get too close. If you hear it, freeze and locate the snake by sound. Back away slowly without turning your back to the snake. If handling a snake for any reason, do not attempt this yourself. Contact your state wildlife department for professional capture and relocation if a snake enters a home or outbuilding. Most bites occur when people try to handle, kill, or corner a snake. Respect their space and the encounter becomes educational rather than dangerous.

9. Which snakes are venomous and which are harmless in Montana?

Only the prairie rattlesnake is venomous in Montana. All other snakes, including bullsnakes, gopher snakes, garter snakes, whipsnakes, and king snakes, are completely harmless to humans. Venomous does not mean aggressive. Prairie rattlesnakes are shy and will rattle as a warning long before they strike.

Misidentifying a harmless bullsnake or gopher snake as a rattler causes unnecessary fear and sometimes leads to the snake being killed by mistake. Learn the key field marks and you will quickly build confidence that most snakes you encounter are entirely benign. The fear of snakes often exceeds the actual risk. Roughly 60 to 80 bites occur in the United States annually, and deaths are extremely rare. In Montana, prairie rattlesnake encounters are uncommon and bites even rarer. Staying aware, using binoculars, and backing away from any snake keeps risk virtually zero.

10. What do Montana snakes eat and how does diet affect where you find them?

Diet drives habitat choice and movement patterns. Prairie rattlesnakes hunt ground squirrels, prairie dogs, mice, and voles in open grasslands. Bullsnakes are rodent specialists and often live near agricultural areas and old buildings where rodents concentrate. Gopher snakes hunt similar prey and are sometimes mistaken for rattlers because they occupy the same ecological niche. Garter snakes are generalists and eat small fish, tadpoles, insects, slugs, and small lizards, which is why they stay near water.

Understood this way, you can predict where to look. Find prairie dog towns and you have found prime rattlesnake habitat. Find a stream with cattails or a pond margin, and you have found garter snake habitat. Meadows with heavy rodent activity concentrate bullsnakes. Predator-prey relationships mean snakes are visible when hunting (active hours), so timing your visit to match peak rodent activity (dawn and dusk for many small mammals) increases your odds of seeing snakes actively moving or feeding.

11. Can Montana snakes be kept as pets and are there any seasonal regulations?

Montana allows the collection of certain snakes for personal use under Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations. However, the prairie rattlesnake is protected and cannot be legally kept or collected from the wild without a special permit. Non-venomous snakes like bullsnakes and garter snakes may be collected in limited numbers, but you must check current regulations with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks because rules change annually.

Seasons and bag limits are strictly enforced. Many herpers prefer to photograph and observe wild snakes rather than collect them. Observing snakes in their natural habitat is rewarding, legal, and requires no permit. If you are interested in keeping snakes as pets, consider captive-bred individuals from reputable breeders. Captive snakes are accustomed to handling, have known health histories, and leave wild populations undisturbed. Always check current regulations before collecting any wildlife in Montana.

12. Frequently asked questions about snakes in Montana

Are there water moccasins in Montana? No, water moccasins are not found in Montana. The only venomous snake is the prairie rattlesnake. Water moccasins live in the southeastern United States and require warmer, wetter climates than Montana offers.

Can you get bitten by a snake in Montana? Yes, but bites are rare and preventable through awareness and distance. Most bites occur when people accidentally step on a snake or try to handle it. Give snakes space and they will move away. Staying alert while hiking, watching where you step and sit, and backing away if you encounter a snake reduces risk to near zero.

Do Montana snakes hibernate? Yes, they brumate (reptilian hibernation) from October to April in rock crevices, mammal burrows, and other protected micro-habitats. Multiple snakes often share the same winter den for thermal efficiency and shelter. Warmer areas like south-facing rocky slopes concentrate denning sites.

What should I do if I see a rattlesnake? Stop, back away slowly, and give it at least 6 feet of space. Do not throw objects or try to kill it. Alert others in the area. If the snake is in a yard or building, contact Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for professional removal. Never attempt to handle a rattlesnake yourself.

See our tour planning ideas at /wildlife-tours/montana/snake for the next step.