5 Most Rattlesnake Infested Areas in Missouri

Located in America's Mid-West, Missouri is a state full of beauty and teeming with life. From swamps and rivers to the Ozarks and prairies, it's no wonder Missouri is home to such a diverse range of wildlife. Some of this wildlife includes snakes and, more specifically, rattlesnakes. Missouri is home to four types of rattlesnakes: Timber, Western pygmy, Eastern massasauga, and Prairie massasauga. Rattlesnakes are often recognized by the sound of the rattle part of their tail. Some of the spots you might expect to see them include near lakes, rivers, and wetlands. While some bodies of water, such as Table Rock Lake, are famous for their snakes. Others, such as Squaw Creek, are lesser known for their snake inhabitants. Here, we explore the five most rattlesnake-infested areas in Missouri.

Squaw Creek

One of the best places to see the Massasauga rattlesnake in Missouri is Squaw Creek. The creek is in a National Wildlife Refuge established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Squaw Creek's wetland attracts wildlife of all kinds, from migratory birds to rattlesnakes. In the Wildlife Refuge, there are 3,200 acres of wetlands. This is where you can expect to find the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake. Typically, the Eastern Massasauga inhabits places Along the Mississippi River floodplain north of St. Louis. They live at the bottom of wet prairies and take shelter in the burrows of other animals.

Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake is one of Missouri's most popular tourist destinations. The 43,000-acre lake is a great spot for boating, scuba diving, and fishing. Nearby, there are sixteen public campgrounds to enjoy and plenty of trails to hike and venture on. Beyond its attraction as an outdoor adventure spot, Table Rock Lake is a popular spot to see snakes. Specifically, this is where you might encounter the Western pygmy rattlesnake. These snakes are typically found on the edge of lakes and rivers. They are a pale grey color with a bronze or dull orange dorsal stripe. Beyond the lake, you might spot these snakes near rock ledges or the forest's edge.

The Ozark Aquatic Faunal Region

The Ozark Aquatic Faunal Region of Missouri is full of clear, cool, and fast-flowing streams south of the Missouri River. The Ozarks are an elevated plain of ancient bedrock, and the streams have been carved into it, creating a complex system. Typically, these streams are steep and full of rocks. The streams are teeming with different types of fish and snails. On the banks of the streams, you might find a Western Pygmy rattlesnake. These are one of the smallest rattlesnakes, reaching an average of 15 to 20 inches in length. You might see snakes near the streams on or under rocks and closer to the woods. These snakes are hard to spot, and you usually hear them before seeing them.

Mississippi River

One of the most famous rivers in the United States, the Mississippi River, cuts a thousand miles through the middle of the country, providing a vital ecosystem to snakes. The river and its surrounding 30-million-acre floodplain are home to 870 fish and wildlife species. Some of the species this includes are rattlesnakes. The river's banks, swamps, wetlands, and associated habitats are the perfect environment for snakes to thrive in. While venturing along the Mississippi River, you might run into two types of rattlesnakes: timber rattlesnakes or Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes. The timber rattlesnakes are listed as a threatened species.

Mark Twain Lake State Park

Located in the Salt River Hills of north-central Missouri, Mark Twain Lake State Park is an outdoor paradise. Walking through the park, there are views of bluffs overlooking the lake and lush thickets of oaks and maples to walk through. The park is full of life, from trees to white-tailed deer, turkeys, and even snakes. You can come across several snakes in the woods, some of them venomous, such as the cottonmouth or rattlesnakes. The Timber rattlesnake is the rattlesnake you are most likely to encounter in Mark Twain Lake State Park. Typically, the snakes occupy rocky, wooded hillsides. The color and dark markings along the body make the snake camouflage into its background, making it hard to spot.

Not to Fear

Overall, Missouri is a place where you can expect to find rattlesnakes, particularly at these five locations. For people scared of snakes, this might deter you from visiting these places. While many people are afraid of snakes, something to know is that snakes rarely attack people unprovoked. Rattlesnakes, in particular, give a warning rattle and usually flee rather than attack. If you hear a rattle, the best course of action is to walk in the opposite direction from the noise. The risk of getting bitten by a snake while in one of these places is minimal, but it is important to understand snakes and respect them and their habitat.