How To Safely Encounter 9 Kinds Of Rattlesnake In Texas

Rattlesnakes are a big part of Texas culture. Almost all Texans have at one point in their life seen one up close. It's not surprising when you consider that Texas has nine different types of rattlesnakes that call it home.

Texas Is Home To Nine Different Types Of Rattlesnakes

Everything is bigger in Texas, and apparently that includes our rattlesnake collection. Growing up, I thought there were only a couple of different types in the Lone Star State. I was very wrong. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there are nine varieties of rattle shaking nope ropes in Texas, and they are:

Western Massasauga - found in grassy areas, marshy areas, and swamplands.
Desert Massasauga - found in the Trans-Pecos, western panhandle, and lower Rio Grande Valley.
Timber - as the name suggests, they're found in the eastern part of Texas in the wooded areas.
Mottled Rock - found in west Texas in the mountain regions.
Banded Rock - you can only find these in the most extreme western part of Texas.
Blacktail - they call West Texas home and are found in bushes and on rock ledges.
Mojave - looks like the diamondback, and is only found in the western part of Texas.
Prairie - exists exactly where you think it would, in the grassy areas of West Texas.
Western Diamondback - the most popular and well-known rattlesnake in Texas.

The Western Diamondback rattlesnake is the most prevalent in Texas. They're found everywhere except the far eastern part of the Lone Star State.

What To Do If You See A Rattlesnake In Texas

Coming across a rattlesnake isn't something most of us look forward to. You'll find signs all over Texas warning people about the presence of rattlesnakes. Try as you might to avoid them, there's a chance you won't be able to. So, here are the things you need to keep in mind.

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When you hear the sound of the snake shaking its rattle, stop and let the snake go away on its own. It's trying to warn you that you are about to mess up in a very big way. That snake is trying to give you a chance.

If you happen to get the drop on a rattlesnake, don't try to capture or kill it. Just back away slowly and keep an eye on it. If you make sudden movements, it might feel threatened and strike.

The CDC website has a full list of steps to take if you are ever bitten or come across a rattlesnake in the wild. The biggest thing to do if you get bitten is to get medical help as soon as possible.