Snakes in Wyoming: identification guide and best places to start

1. Where are the best places to spot snakes in Wyoming?

Most snake sightings happen below 7,000 feet, where the climate supports year-round reptile activity. The Red Desert near Rawlins is the hotspot for prairie rattlesnakes and bullsnakes, with rocky buttes and dry creek beds offering excellent vantage points. The Bighorn Basin around Thermopolis, with its lower elevations and mineral-rich geology, attracts multiple species due to increased prey density and favorable basking sites. The river corridors are equally productive: the North Platte near Casper, the Green River around Pinedale, and the Yellowstone River in the north all support healthy garter snake and water snake populations. The foothills of the Laramie Range south of Laramie, especially near Sherman Hill, are reliable for bullsnakes and garter snakes in spring. For a broader overview of Wyoming wildlife hotspots, check out ourWyoming wildlife page.

2. When is the best time of year to see snakes in Wyoming?

Snakes emerge from hibernation in late April or early May and remain active through September or early October. Peak activity occurs during two windows: mid-May through mid-June during breeding season, when males actively search for mates and move across open ground, and late August through mid-September as snakes feed intensively before returning to winter dens. Warm afternoons between 75°F and 85°F are ideal for spotting, as snakes bask to raise their body temperature for digestion and movement. Morning hours (7-10 AM) and late afternoon (4-7 PM) are best during moderate weather. In midsummer heat (above 90°F), snakes may remain nocturnal or hide under rocks. Cold, overcast, or windy days mean snakes stay hidden. Spring months often have unpredictable weather and fewer snakes overall due to emergence staggering.

3. How can I identify common snakes in Wyoming?

Wyoming has 13 snake species, only one of which is venomous: the Prairie Rattlesnake. Key identifiers: Prairie Rattlesnakes have a broad triangular head, heat-sensing pits along the jaw, and a rattle at the tail tip. They range from light brown to greenish gray with dark brown blotches and can reach 4-5 feet. The Bullsnake, a non-venomous mimic, is larger (4-6 feet), flattens its head when threatened, and hisses loudly, but its round pupils and lack of heat pits distinguish it from rattlers. Garter snakes are slender (18-36 inches) with three light longitudinal stripes running the length of the body. Water snakes are stockier, often with irregular blotches and a keeled appearance. The Smooth Green Snake is entirely green, small (12-18 inches), and restricted to wetter habitats. Red-sided Garter Snakes show distinctive red or orange stripes on the sides. For more detailed identification, visit oursnake identification hub.

See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.

4. What should I do if I encounter a snake?

Stop, back away slowly, and give the snake plenty of space, ideally at least 10 feet. Most snakes will flee or freeze when they sense vibrations. Never try to handle, provoke, or capture a snake. Keep dogs on a short leash in snake country and watch small children closely. If bitten by a rattlesnake, stay calm, remove jewelry or tight clothing from the affected limb, immobilize the affected area, and get to a hospital immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom, as these actions can worsen damage. Cell service is spotty in many Wyoming backcountry areas, so carry a personal locator beacon or satellite communicator when exploring remote habitat.

5. What are the most common snake species in Wyoming?

The Prairie Rattlesnake is the most widespread venomous snake and the most frequently encountered in open country. The Bullsnake is the most common large non-venomous snake and is often mistaken for a rattler due to its size and aggressive defense behavior. The Western Plains Garter Snake is abundant in riparian zones and grasslands statewide. The Red-sided Garter Snake prefers wetlands and river valleys. The Common Water Snake favors permanent water bodies. Other species present but less frequently seen include the Smooth Green Snake (wet meadows), Milk Snake (rocky crevices), Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer (southeastern Wyoming), and the rarely encountered Rubber Boa and Whipsnake.

6. Are there venomous snakes in Wyoming?

Yes, but only the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is venomous in Wyoming. It is found statewide below 8,000 feet except in the highest mountain ranges. It prefers rock outcrops, prairie dog towns, sagebrush flats, and the edges of badlands. Bites are rare, especially if you wear proper footwear and watch where you step and place your hands. The venom is hemotoxic, causing tissue damage, blood clotting issues, and pain. Bites require immediate medical attention. Most encounters involve defensive strikes only when the snake is directly threatened or cornered.

7. What gear or clothing is useful for snake spotting?

When exploring snake habitats, high-top leather boots and thick pants offer good protection against bites and rough terrain. A walking stick or trekking poles help you probe ahead and alert snakes to your approach, causing them to move away. For identification, a good field guide (Baxter & Stone's "Amphibians and Reptiles of Wyoming" is excellent) or a camera with zoom capability is useful for distance observation and later review. Binoculars are helpful for spotting snakes on rock outcrops and basking sites from a safe distance. Once you're home, you can celebrate your adventure with a design or field guide. For more designs, browse oursnake t-shirts.

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8. What habitats are best for each species?

Prairie Rattlesnakes favor dry, open country: sagebrush flats, badlands, rocky outcrops, and the edges of prairie dog towns where they hunt rodents. They are most abundant in the Red Desert and Bighorn Basin but also occur in the southern Black Hills foothills. Bullsnakes prefer similar dry grasslands and prairies but also climb into abandoned burrows and rock crevices. Garter snakes gravitate to riparian corridors, wet meadows, and marshes near the North Platte, Green River, and smaller creeks. Water snakes stay within a few yards of permanent water. Smooth Green Snakes are restricted to high-elevation wet meadows and sphagnum bogs, making them rare and geographically limited. Milk Snakes hide in rocky crevices and talus slopes, particularly in foothills and low mountains.

9. How do Wyoming snakes migrate and hibernate?

Wyoming snakes do not truly migrate but instead gather at communal hibernacula (winter dens) in fall and emerge in spring. From October to April, snakes brumate in protected rock crevices, talus caves, abandoned animal burrows, and even under building foundations. Hibernacula can harbor dozens or even hundreds of snakes crowded together for warmth and protection from freezing temperatures. Prairie Rattlesnakes are known to travel considerable distances to reach their traditional hibernacula, some moving 2-3 miles from summer ranges. In spring (late April to May), emergence is gradual and staggered as ground temperatures warm. Snakes found on roads in May are often traveling to or from hibernacula. The timing varies by elevation: lower deserts warm first, so snakes emerge there earlier than in the high mountains.

10. Frequently asked questions about snakes in Wyoming?

**Are there timber rattlesnakes in Wyoming?** No, timber rattlesnakes are not found in Wyoming. The Prairie Rattlesnake is the only rattlesnake species in the state. Timber rattlesnakes prefer eastern forests and forests east of the Mississippi River.

**Where is the highest concentration of snakes in Wyoming?** The Red Desert and the Bighorn Basin have the highest densities of prairie rattlesnakes and bullsnakes, especially near rocky buttes and river breaks. River valleys have the highest concentrations of garter snakes and water snakes.

**What time of day are snakes most active?** Snakes are most active in the morning (8-10 AM) and late afternoon (4-7 PM) during warm weather, when they bask and hunt. On very hot days above 90°F, they may become nocturnal and hide until evening.

**Can you find snakes in Yellowstone National Park?** Yes, but only at lower elevations in the park, such as the Lamar Valley, Paradise Valley, and near the Yellowstone River. The Prairie Rattlesnake is present in the park's northern range and is occasionally spotted on trails.

**Do snakes hibernate in Wyoming?** Yes, from October to April, snakes brumate in communal dens called hibernacula, often in rock crevices, talus slopes, or animal burrows. They emerge when ground temperatures consistently reach 50°F or higher in spring.

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