Rattlesnakes are rampant at these MS lakes & rivers. What to watch for
It’s snake season in Mississippi and if you like swimming in any of Mississippi’s beautiful lakes or rivers, you may want to be aware of some slithering swim buddies that could join you out on the water.
Specifically, rattlesnakes. And in Mississippi, there are three types: the eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake and Pigmy rattlesnake. And here’s the real kicker: all three are venomous.
According to the University of Mississippi, rattlesnakes live in highly wooded areas like forests and mountains, but they also love water.
So, which of Mississippi’s lakes and rivers are the most infested with rattlesnakes? Let’s take a look:
Top rattlesnake infested lakes and rivers in Mississippi
Mississippi River
According to World Atlas, “the Mississippi River is the longest river in the United States and North America.” The river has a huge variety of wildlife in and around its waters, such as fish and birds, but the river also has an infestation of snakes. More specifically, the timber rattlesnake.
“Timber rattlesnakes make their home in every state the river goes through and that includes Mississippi as well. They tend to hide in bluffs above the river or hiding under rocks, leaves, or tree limbs,” as stated in the World Atlas blog.
Sardis Lake
Sardis Lake is a reservoir on the Tallahatchie River in Mississippi and it is popular for its amazing fishing, hunting and camping opportunities. However, it is also known for its rattlesnakes.
“Rattlesnakes, including Pygmy rattlesnakes, are known to inhabit the area around the lake,” according to World Atlas. “Pygmy Rattlesnakes typically live in wet environments like floodplains, forests, lakes, and marshes.”
But don’t fret too much because Pigmy rattlesnakes typically stay to themselves and won’t try to bite humans.
Pearl River
The Pearl River is on the southern part of the state and is home to all kinds of animals like black bears, birds and an abundance of fish.
“This river has a meander length of 444 miles and contains large areas of hardwood swamp and cypress warm,” according to A-Z Animals. “The mouth of the river creates several types of marsh habitats of different salinities, so you’ll find some rare species.”
However, since the area is so diverse in landscape, it is the perfect place for all three rattlesnakes to roam.
How to identify a rattlesnake
According to the University of Mississippi, here are the distinguishing features of each rattlesnake.
The eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake has a tail with brown and white bands, along with a “rattle.” The upper body of the snake has dark brown diamond shapes, with a thin yellow or white border. The snake is usually between three and five feet long, but it can grow up to seven feet long.
The timber rattlesnake usually ranges between three and five feet long, with a “rattle” tail. The snake has chevron shaped brown markings and other white or gray coloring.
The smallest of the rattlesnakes is the Pigmy rattlesnake, which ranges between 16 and 23 inches long. The Pigmy usually has a gray or tan background color, but some look reddish. The snake also has dark spots all the way down its body, with a tail accented by a thin rattle.
Have more questions about snakes? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
