These 5 MS bodies of water are the most snake infested in the state
The warm, slow moving waters of Mississippi are a perfect environment for many of the 55 snake species found in the state, according to experts.
As of Aug. 11, more than 100 people had reported being bitten by a snake in Mississippi, a 17% increase when compared to the same time frame in 2024, recent data from the Poison Control Center found.
Out of all the places in Mississippi for the slithering creatures to lurk, certain bodies of water stand out. Here are the top five most snake-filled bodies of water in the state, according to WorldAtlas.
5 most snake-filled bodies of water in MS
- Gulf Islands National Seashore, along the Gulf of Mexico
- Enid Lake, in north-central Mississippi
- Grenada Lake, along the entrance of the Mississippi Delta
- Sardis Lake, northern Mississippi
- Pickwick Lake, northeast Mississippi
Snake bites in Mississippi
A total of 116 people reported being bitten by a snake in Mississippi between Jan. 1 and Aug. 11, according to 2025 data from the Poison Control Center.
More than half of those bites, 65%, were from snakes presumed to be venomous, and 56 people were treated with antivenom, according to the data.
How to stay safe from snake bites
The chances of a Mississippian being bitten by a snake are low — less than a 0.01% chance given the state’s population, according to WorldAtlas
If a snake does feel threatened, it might let you know by hissing and vibrating its tail, according to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Most snake bites happen when the signs are ignored, experts said.
You can also avoid unwanted encounters with snakes by doing the following:
- Clearing up potential snake hiding spots
- Wearing heavy shoes and pants in bodies of water
- Looking carefully around where you walk
- Using a flashlight for activities after sunset
- Not trying to kill snakes
What to do if you’re bitten by a snake
Most snake bites, 85%, are by nonvenomous species and many of the bites by venomous snakes don’t inject venom, according to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.
Either way if you are bitten by a snake, here are a few things you should do, according to MSU Extension Service:
- Get emergency medical help
- Remove any clothing items that could cut off or restrict circulation near the bite
- Try to keep the bite below heart level
- Try to remember what the snake looked like
What venomous snakes live in Mississippi
Six of Mississippi’s 55 species of snakes are venomous. You can identify a venomous snake by their vertical pupils, triangular head, facial pits — located below the eye and nostrils — and single scale rows under their tails. Here are the six snakes you should be extra careful about:
1. Copperheads
2. Cottonmouths
3. Pygmy Rattlesnakes
4. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes
5. Canebrake Rattlesnakes
6. Coral Snakes
