Are There Copperheads in Wyoming?
No, copperheads are not found in Wyoming. They live in the eastern and central United States and do not occur anywhere west of the Mississippi River. Wyoming's mountain terrain, high elevation, and cold climate are far outside copperhead range. Any snake you encounter in Wyoming is a harmless native species.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Eastern Copperhead · Court Harding CC BY
Eastern Copperhead · Mila C. CC BY
Eastern Copperhead · Alan Rockefeller CC BY
- 0
- GBIF records
Copperheads aren't established in Wyoming, so you might be wondering:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
Only 0 verified observations on iNaturalist of copperhead have been logged in Wyoming, which fits how rare they are in the state. That low number is itself the most honest answer to whether you are likely to see one here.
No, copperheads are not found in Wyoming. They live in the eastern and central United States and do not occur anywhere west of the Mississippi River. Wyoming's mountain terrain, high elevation, and cold climate are far outside copperhead range. Any snake you encounter in Wyoming is a harmless native species.
Are They in Wyoming?
Copperheads are not established in Wyoming and have no recorded occurrence anywhere in the state or the western United States. This venomous snake is strictly an eastern and central species whose range does not extend west of the Mississippi River. The eastern boundary of Wyoming is more than 1,000 miles from the western edge of copperhead range. Wyoming's Rocky Mountains, high elevation, and cold winters create a climate unsuitable for copperheads to survive year-round. The copperhead's range extends from the Gulf Coast states northward through the Appalachian region and the Ohio Valley, stopping well short of the Great Plains and Mountain West. Wyoming's native venomous snakes are prairie rattlesnakes and western rattlesnakes, found in appropriate habitats across the state. If you find a snake in Wyoming, it is not a copperhead. Learn more aboutCopperhead in Wyomingto confirm this complete regional absence.
How Dangerous Is It?
Although copperheads do not live in Wyoming, it is helpful to know that copperhead bites are rarely fatal in healthy adults with access to medical care. A copperhead bite causes local pain and swelling where the venom is injected, but systemic effects are uncommon. Fewer than 5 percent of copperhead bites result in serious complications, and deaths are extremely rare. The venom is designed to subdue small prey like rodents and frogs, not large animals. Most copperhead bites occur when someone attempts to handle, kill, or capture the snake rather than during accidental encounters. Children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems may experience more severe reactions to venom. In the eastern states where copperheads do live, the risk of a snake bite is lower than the risk of a dog bite, bee sting, or lightning strike.
How to Recognize One
If you travel to eastern copperhead habitat, look for a medium-sized snake usually 2 to 3 feet long, with distinctive hourglass or butterfly-shaped markings on the back. These bands are reddish-brown or tan and are wider at the sides than at the center of the back. The head is often copper-colored, giving the snake its name. Copperheads have vertical elliptical pupils like cats. They prefer leaf litter, rock piles, and woodpiles during the day and hunt near the ground at night. In the East, they are common near streams and swamps but also venture into gardens and yards. Wyoming's native snakes, like garter snakes, rat snakes, and prairie snakes, have different patterns and behaviors.Wyoming wildlifepages describe the snakes you will actually encounter in the state.
What to Do If Bitten
Since copperheads do not live in Wyoming, you need not worry about encountering one here. However, if you travel to copperhead habitat in the eastern United States and are bitten by any snake, the first response is to stay calm. Remove yourself from the area where the snake is located and keep the bitten area still and below heart level if possible. Remove rings, bracelets, and tight clothing from the bitten limb before swelling occurs. Wash the bite gently with soap and water if running water is available. Seek medical attention as soon as possible by going to an emergency room or calling 911. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe. Do not apply ice, tourniquets, or attempt field treatment of any kind.
How to Prevent Encounters
Preventing copperhead encounters is not necessary in Wyoming since they do not live here. However, if you travel to copperhead habitat in the eastern United States, the same prevention steps apply as for any venomous snake. Wear long pants and closed-toe hiking boots when walking through fields, marshes, or rocky areas. Stay on marked trails and avoid pushing through dense brush where you cannot see where your feet will land. Clear leaf litter, woodpiles, and brush from around your home if you live in copperhead country. When sitting outdoors in warm weather in eastern regions, stay alert and scan the area around you. Wear gloves when moving wood or working in areas where snakes may hide. Most snake bites occur when someone tries to handle or kill the animal. Simply leaving snakes alone is the best prevention strategy in any region.
Where in Wyoming and When
Copperheads do not occur anywhere in Wyoming. They are absent from the Bighorn Mountains, the Wind River Range, the Yellowstone region, the Black Hills, and all other areas of the state. Their eastern range includes the Appalachian Mountains, the Ohio Valley, the Mississippi River basin, and the southeastern United States. In the states where they do occur, copperheads are active from April through October, with peak activity in May and September. They are most active during warm nights and on overcast days when temperatures are warm. In winter, eastern copperheads den in rock crevices, abandoned animal burrows, and hollow trees. If you live in Wyoming and are interested in understanding the venomous snakes that occur in your state and region,wildlife in Wyomingprovides detailed information on prairie rattlesnakes and other native reptiles.
Harmless Lookalikes
Since copperheads do not live in Wyoming, there are no local copperhead lookalikes to worry about. Any snake you encounter in Wyoming is a harmless native species. Wyoming is home to garter snakes, water snakes, rat snakes, bull snakes, gopher snakes, and prairie snakes, all of which are nonvenomous. The venomous snakes found in Wyoming are prairie rattlesnakes and western rattlesnakes, which are easily identified by the distinctive rattle at the end of the tail and the triangular head shape. Rattlesnakes are active during warm months and are found in appropriate dry, rocky habitats. All other Wyoming snakes lack venom and pose no medical threat. If you find a snake in Wyoming and it lacks a rattle and has a round head, it is definitely harmless. Checkmore on Copperhead in Wyomingto confirm that copperheads truly do not occur in Wyoming or the Mountain West.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there copperheads in Wyoming? No, copperheads do not live in Wyoming or anywhere in the western United States. Do copperheads live west of the Mississippi River? No, copperheads do not occur anywhere west of the Mississippi River and are found only in the eastern and central United States. What venomous snakes live in Wyoming? Wyoming is home to prairie rattlesnakes and western rattlesnakes, both of which are easily identified by their rattles and triangular head shapes. These snakes are generally shy and avoid people. What should I do if I see a snake in Wyoming? Leave it alone. All Wyoming snakes except rattlesnakes are completely harmless, and even rattlesnakes rarely bite unless provoked. Back away slowly and give any snake room to escape. SeeWyoming wildlife guidefor more information about the snakes that actually live here.
Plan your copperhead sighting in Wyoming
There are no verified copperhead records for Wyoming, which fits how uncommon they are here. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Wyoming
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Devils Tower National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fossil Butte National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Grand Teton National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Yellowstone National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- California National Historic Trail · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are They in Wyoming?+
Copperheads are not established in Wyoming and have no recorded occurrence anywhere in the state or the western United States. This venomous snake is strictly an eastern and central species whose range does not extend west of the Mississippi River. The eastern boundary of Wyoming is more than 1,000 miles from the western edge of copperhead range. Wyoming's Rocky Mountains, high elevation, and cold winters create a climate unsuitable for copperheads to survive year-round. The copperhead's range extends from the Gulf Coast states northward through the Appalachian region and the Ohio Valley, stopping well short of the Great Plains and Mountain West. Wyoming's native venomous snakes are prairie rattlesnakes and western rattlesnakes, found in appropriate habitats across the state. If you find a snake in Wyoming, it is not a copperhead. Learn more aboutCopperhead in Wyomingto confirm this complete regional absence.
How Dangerous Is It?+
Although copperheads do not live in Wyoming, it is helpful to know that copperhead bites are rarely fatal in healthy adults with access to medical care. A copperhead bite causes local pain and swelling where the venom is injected, but systemic effects are uncommon. Fewer than 5 percent of copperhead bites result in serious complications, and deaths are extremely rare. The venom is designed to subdue small prey like rodents and frogs, not large animals. Most copperhead bites occur when someone attempts to handle, kill, or capture the snake rather than during accidental encounters. Children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems may experience more severe reactions to venom. In the eastern states where copperheads do live, the risk of a snake bite is lower than the risk of a dog bite, bee sting, or lightning strike.
More wildlife in Wyoming