Are There Rattlesnakes in Wyoming?
Yes, rattlesnakes live in Wyoming, with multiple species found in suitable habitats throughout the state, particularly in western and central regions. Prairie rattlesnakes and Great Basin rattlesnakes are common in appropriate habitats. Bites are rare even in rattlesnake country. With prompt medical care, bites are rarely serious.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake · Scott Allen Davis CC BY
Panamint Rattlesnake · Matt Berger CC BY
Red Diamond Rattlesnake · Amy Huie CC BY
- 2
- species recorded
- 440
- GBIF records
- June, July, May
- peak months
Yes, rattlesnakes are in Wyoming. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
2 types of rattlesnakes recorded in Wyoming
2 rattlesnake species have a verified observation record in Wyoming, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
- No openly licensed photo yet1
- No openly licensed photo yet2
Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
388 verified observations on iNaturalist of rattlesnake have been recorded in Wyoming, most often in June, July, May.
When rattlesnake are recorded in Wyoming
Yes, rattlesnakes live in Wyoming, with multiple species found in suitable habitats throughout the state, particularly in western and central regions. Prairie rattlesnakes and Great Basin rattlesnakes are common in appropriate habitats. Bites are rare even in rattlesnake country. With prompt medical care, bites are rarely serious.
Are they in Wyoming?
Rattlesnakes are established throughout much of Wyoming, with the most common species being the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and the Great Basin Rattlesnake. They are found in suitable habitats across western and central Wyoming, including the mountains, foothills, and semi-arid regions. Prairie Rattlesnakes are particularly abundant in the lower elevation areas of the state. They are generally absent only from the highest mountain elevations and the most extreme high-elevation terrain. Unlike some states where rattlesnakes are rare, Wyoming has healthy populations in appropriate habitat. However, even in Wyoming, direct encounters with rattlesnakes are uncommon because they are shy and prefer to avoid humans. Read ourWyoming wildlifeguide to learn about all the native snakes and other animals you might encounter while exploring the state.
How dangerous is it?
Rattlesnake bites are medically serious and should be treated by a doctor immediately. The venom can cause tissue damage, swelling, and systemic effects that require professional medical intervention. However, bites in Wyoming are uncommon even in areas with healthy rattlesnake populations, particularly in developed areas and near population centers where medical care is readily available. With prompt medical treatment, the vast majority of bites have positive outcomes. Deaths are rare in healthy adults who receive timely hospital care. The venom is serious and should be respected, but your actual risk of being bitten is low if you use reasonable caution and avoid direct contact with snakes. Modern medical care has made even serious snake bites highly survivable with rapid transport to a hospital.
How to recognize one
Prairie Rattlesnakes and Great Basin Rattlesnakes are medium-sized to large snakes, usually 24 to 36 inches long, with heavy, muscular bodies. They have a pattern of dark brown or tan bands or blotches running down a lighter-colored back. The head is often decorated with markings. The most distinctive and reliable feature is the segmented rattle at the tip of the tail, which vibrates to produce a warning sound. These rattles are made of hollow keratin and become louder as segments are added. They are found in semi-arid regions, grasslands, sagebrush areas, rocky foothills, and sometimes near water sources. You can learn more onour wildlife guideswith detailed photographs of Wyoming's native snakes and how to tell them apart from harmless species.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
If bitten by a rattlesnake in Wyoming, the most important action is to stay calm and get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Keep the bitten area immobilized and at or below heart level. Remove any tight jewelry or clothing that might constrict as swelling develops. Do not try to capture or kill the snake. Do not apply ice, cut the wound, use a tourniquet, or attempt any field treatment. If you are in a remote area, call 911 for help or contact the nearest ranger station. 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. Modern hospitals have antivenom and the expertise to manage snake envenomation. Prompt medical care is the only appropriate response to a venomous bite.
How to prevent encounters in Wyoming
To avoid rattlesnake encounters in Wyoming, wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking boots or work boots when in snake habitat, especially in dry, open areas and sagebrush regions during warm months. Stay on marked trails and watch carefully where you step and place your hands. Avoid reaching into rock crevices or under logs without looking first. Make noise as you walk through open areas and grasslands to alert snakes to your presence so they can move away. Shake out sleeping bags and blankets before use when camping. When working outdoors or gardening, be alert and watch for snakes. Keep your yard and camp area free of brush, woodpiles, and dense grass that might shelter rodents and snakes. Avoid hiking at dawn or dusk in warm months when snakes are most active. Exploreour wildlife guidesfor additional outdoor safety tips.
Where in Wyoming and when
In Wyoming, rattlesnakes are found throughout much of the state in suitable habitats, including western mountains, foothills, central grasslands, and semi-arid regions. Prairie Rattlesnakes are particularly common in lower elevation grasslands and sagebrush areas. They are generally absent only from the highest mountain peaks and extreme high-elevation terrain above their range. They are active from April or May through September or early October, with peak activity in July and August when temperatures are warmest. During cold months from October through March, they enter underground dens and hibernacula and become inactive. Even in prime snake country, encounters remain uncommon if you stay alert. Learn more aboutwildlife in Wyomingand the diverse ecosystems where rattlesnakes, elk, and many other species coexist.
Harmless lookalikes
Many Wyoming snakes are harmless and occasionally mistaken for rattlesnakes by those unfamiliar with snakes. The Bullsnake is the most common lookalike: it is large, muscular, and has a pattern similar to rattlesnakes, but it is completely harmless and even benefits humans by eating rodents. When threatened, Bullsnakes hiss loudly and flatten their bodies, which can be intimidating but poses no danger. Gopher Snakes are another common harmless species. Racers and other slender snakes are sometimes confused with young rattlesnakes. Water snakes are another source of confusion. The most reliable way to tell if a snake is a rattlesnake is the presence of the segmented rattle at the tail tip and the rattle sound. Checkmore on Rattlesnake in Wyomingfor clear photographs showing the key differences between common harmless snakes and Wyoming's native rattlesnakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Prairie Rattlesnakes deadly? A: A bite is serious and requires medical care, but with prompt hospital treatment, outcomes are good and deaths are extremely rare in healthy adults. Q: How common are rattlesnake bites in Wyoming? A: Bites are uncommon even in areas with healthy rattlesnake populations. Most people who spend time outdoors in Wyoming never encounter a bite. Q: What attracts rattlesnakes to a house or camp? A: Snakes follow rodents and small mammals that provide food. Reducing rodent populations by eliminating food sources and sealing entry points around buildings helps prevent snakes from settling in populated areas. Q: What should I do if I see one while hiking or working outdoors? A: Simply move away slowly and calmly, giving the snake ample space to retreat. It will almost always move away from you if given the opportunity. It will not pursue or chase you. Contact wildlife management only if the snake is inside a building or poses an immediate threat to people in that specific location.
Plan your trip
Best time to see rattlesnake in Wyoming: June, July, May
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your rattlesnake sighting in Wyoming
440 verified rattlesnake records have been logged in Wyoming. 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?+
Rattlesnakes are established throughout much of Wyoming, with the most common species being the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and the Great Basin Rattlesnake. They are found in suitable habitats across western and central Wyoming, including the mountains, foothills, and semi-arid regions. Prairie Rattlesnakes are particularly abundant in the lower elevation areas of the state. They are generally absent only from the highest mountain elevations and the most extreme high-elevation terrain. Unlike some states where rattlesnakes are rare, Wyoming has healthy populations in appropriate habitat. However, even in Wyoming, direct encounters with rattlesnakes are uncommon because they are shy and prefer to avoid humans. Read ourWyoming wildlifeguide to learn about all the native snakes and other animals you might encounter while exploring the state.
How dangerous is it?+
Rattlesnake bites are medically serious and should be treated by a doctor immediately. The venom can cause tissue damage, swelling, and systemic effects that require professional medical intervention. However, bites in Wyoming are uncommon even in areas with healthy rattlesnake populations, particularly in developed areas and near population centers where medical care is readily available. With prompt medical treatment, the vast majority of bites have positive outcomes. Deaths are rare in healthy adults who receive timely hospital care. The venom is serious and should be respected, but your actual risk of being bitten is low if you use reasonable caution and avoid direct contact with snakes. Modern medical care has made even serious snake bites highly survivable with rapid transport to a hospital.
More wildlife in Wyoming