You’re hiking through Arkansas’s beautiful forests when you spot a snake basking on a rock. Is it harmless, or one of the six venomous species that call this state home? With 39 snake species in Arkansas and only six being venomous, knowing the difference could prevent a painful—and potentially dangerous—encounter.
Beyond snakes, you’ll find venomous spiders, scorpions, and stinging insects throughout the Natural State, making wildlife awareness essential for anyone who spends time outdoors.
This guide helps you identify venomous animals in Arkansas, understand where they live, and know what to do if you encounter them.
Whether you’re camping in the Ozarks, fishing along the Arkansas River, or simply working in your backyard, you’ll gain the knowledge to stay safe while respecting these important members of Arkansas’s ecosystem.
Copperhead
The copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) ranks as the most commonly encountered venomous snake in Arkansas and throughout the entire United States. You’ll find these pit vipers nearly statewide, thriving in mixed pine-hardwood forests, rocky hillsides, and even suburban woodpiles.
Pro Tip: Copperheads freeze when threatened rather than rattling or fleeing, which leads to more accidental bites when people step near them without noticing.
What they look like: Adults measure 24-36 inches long with stout bodies and distinctive hourglass-shaped crossbands in shades of tan, gray, or light brown. The bands are darker at the edges and narrower toward the center of the back. Juvenile copperheads display a bright yellow or greenish-yellow tail tip that they use to lure prey like frogs and lizards.
Where you’ll find them: These snakes prefer areas with leaf litter and ground cover where they can ambush prey. Look for them near rock outcroppings, fallen logs, abandoned buildings, and woodpiles. They adapt well to suburban environments, making backyard encounters increasingly common.
Why they’re dangerous: Copperhead venom contains hemotoxins that destroy red blood cells and damage tissue, though it’s considered relatively weak compared to other pit vipers. Most healthy adults recover without antivenom, but bites cause significant pain, swelling, and potential tissue necrosis. The bite carries only a 0.01% fatality rate, but you should still seek medical attention immediately.
Cottonmouth
The northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) earns its name from the white interior of its mouth, which it displays as a warning when threatened. This semi-aquatic pit viper inhabits wetlands, swamps, and slow-moving waterways throughout much of Arkansas, though it’s uncommon in the Ozark Highlands and Ouachita Mountains.
Where you’ll find them: Cottonmouths favor aquatic environments including oxbow lakes, sloughs, drainage ditches, cypress swamps, and stream banks. You might see them swimming with their heads above water or basking on logs and rocks near the water’s edge.
Key Insight: Despite their aggressive reputation, field studies show that half of cottonmouths encountered in the wild attempt to escape rather than confront humans.
What they look like: These heavy-bodied snakes range from 20 to 50 inches in length with dark olive-brown to black coloration and indistinguishable dark crossbands. A distinctive white upper lip contrasts with a black stripe stretching from the snout to the neck. Their keeled scales give them a rough, non-shiny appearance.
Why they’re dangerous: Cottonmouth venom is cytotoxic, targeting flesh and causing extreme pain, swelling, and tissue damage. While more potent than copperhead venom, deaths remain rare with prompt medical treatment. The snake’s semi-aquatic lifestyle means encounters often occur during fishing, kayaking, or swimming activities.
Timber Rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) represents one of Arkansas’s three rattlesnake species and one of the most dangerous. These large pit vipers inhabit forested areas and rocky hillsides throughout the state, particularly in the Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions.
What they look like: Adult timber rattlesnakes reach 36-60 inches in length with thick, heavy bodies. They display either a yellow or dark color phase, both featuring dark chevron-shaped crossbands down the back. A rust-colored stripe often runs down the center of the back. The distinctive rattle at the tail tip produces a buzzing sound when vibrated.
Where you’ll find them: These snakes prefer undisturbed forested areas with rocky outcroppings, talus slopes, and dense vegetation. During summer, they often move to lower elevations near streams and wetlands. Timber rattlesnakes are ambush predators that remain motionless for extended periods waiting for prey.
Important Note: Timber rattlesnakes are responsible for more verified snake bite fatalities in Arkansas than any other species, making proper identification and avoidance critical.
Why they’re dangerous: Their hemotoxic venom causes severe tissue damage, internal bleeding, and can affect the cardiovascular system. A single bite delivers a significant venom dose due to their large size. These snakes typically provide warning by rattling before striking, but surprise encounters on hiking trails can lead to defensive strikes without warning.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) stands as the second-largest venomous snake in the United States and one of Arkansas’s most formidable reptiles. Though less common than timber rattlesnakes, western diamondbacks command respect wherever they’re found in the state.
Where you’ll find them: In Arkansas, these snakes primarily inhabit the western and southwestern portions of the state. The largest Arkansas specimen measured 173 centimeters and was collected from Conway County on Petit Jean Mountain. They prefer rocky areas, grasslands, and scrublands at various elevations.
What they look like: These heavily bodied snakes reach lengths up to 234 centimeters with distinctive diamond or rhomboid-shaped blotches down their backs, each bordered by a single row of white scales. Two light-colored diagonal lines cross the face, and the tail displays distinctive black and white banding. The prominent rattle provides audible warning of their presence.
Why they’re dangerous: Western diamondback venom ranks among the most potent of North American pit vipers, containing powerful hemotoxins that destroy blood cells, rupture capillaries, and damage tissue extensively. They also inject larger venom quantities than smaller rattlesnakes due to their size. These snakes are generally less tolerant of human presence than copperheads and will defend themselves when cornered.
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake
The western pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius tergeminus) might be small, but this diminutive pit viper still deserves your respect. As Arkansas’s smallest venomous snake, it often goes unnoticed until someone gets too close.
Pro Tip: The pygmy rattlesnake’s rattle is so small and quiet that you can only hear it from approximately three feet away, unlike larger rattlesnakes whose warnings carry much farther.
What they look like: Adults typically measure only 15-20 inches in length with slender bodies covered in dark spots or blotches down the back. Coloration varies from gray to reddish-brown, often with a rust-colored stripe down the center of the back. The tiny rattle produces a faint buzzing sound similar to an insect.
Where you’ll find them: These snakes inhabit various habitats including pine flatwoods, mixed forests, and areas near wetlands. They often hide beneath leaf litter, fallen logs, or debris where their small size provides excellent camouflage.
Why they’re dangerous: While pygmy rattlesnake bites typically aren’t fatal to healthy adults, their cytotoxic venom still causes pain, swelling, and tissue necrosis. The small venom dose makes bites less severe than those from larger rattlesnakes, but you should still seek medical attention. Their small size and quiet rattle mean you might not notice them until you’ve stepped too close.
Texas Coral Snake
The Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener) stands out as Arkansas’s most colorful venomous snake and the only member of the elapid family in the state. This secretive serpent inhabits only a small portion of southwestern Arkansas, making encounters extremely rare.
Key Insight: No deaths from Texas coral snake bites have been documented in Arkansas, partly due to the snake’s reclusive nature and limited range in the state.
What they look like: This medium-sized snake reaches maximum lengths of 48 inches with distinctive red, yellow, and black bands circling the entire body. Remember the rhyme: “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, venom lack” to distinguish coral snakes from harmless mimics like scarlet kingsnakes. The coral snake’s head is small and black, without the triangular shape typical of pit vipers.
Where you’ll find them: In Arkansas, verified records exist for only five counties in the Gulf Coastal Plain, including Columbia, Lafayette, Nevada, Ouachita, and Union. These nocturnal snakes spend most of their time underground or beneath leaf litter, logs, and debris. They emerge primarily during humid conditions or after rain.
Why they’re dangerous: Unlike pit vipers with hemotoxic venom, coral snakes possess potent neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis and respiratory failure. However, their small mouths and rear-positioned fangs make envenomation difficult unless the snake can chew on its victim. Antivenom for coral snake bites is underproduced due to low demand, making prevention crucial.
Black Widow Spider
The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) ranks among the most recognizable arachnids in Arkansas and carries venom 15 times more potent than a prairie rattlesnake. Despite this fearsome reputation, these spiders rarely bite humans and deaths are extremely uncommon.
What they look like: Female black widows display jet-black bodies measuring 8-10 millimeters in length with the iconic red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. Males are much smaller, brown, and harmless to humans as they cannot pierce our skin. Only adult females pose a threat.
Where you’ll find them: These shy, nocturnal spiders build irregular, tangled silk webs in dark, undisturbed locations. Look for them under overhanging ledges, in woodpiles, beneath benches or stones, near abandoned rodent burrow entrances, and around outbuildings. Indoors, they prefer dimly lit locations like dark corners, closets, basements, and cluttered areas.
Important Note: Black widows are non-aggressive and only bite when their web is disturbed or when they’re trapped against skin, such as in clothing or shoes.
Why they’re dangerous: The neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system, causing severe muscle cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, and difficulty breathing. While highly toxic, each bite delivers only a small venom amount. Symptoms typically peak within 1-3 hours and medical treatment with pain medications and muscle relaxants proves effective. The bite itself feels like a pinprick, so you might not realize you’ve been bitten until symptoms develop.
Brown Widow Spider
The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) represents a newer arrival to Arkansas and has been expanding its range throughout the southern United States. Though related to black widows, these spiders display different coloration and behaviors.
What they look like: Brown widows vary in color from tan to dark brown with variable patterns including lighter and darker markings on the abdomen. Like black widows, they feature an hourglass marking on the underside, but it’s typically orange or yellowish rather than red. Their egg sacs appear distinctive—tan or white with numerous silk spikes, resembling tiny spiky balls.
Where you’ll find them: These spiders prefer outdoor structures more than their black widow cousins. Common locations include outdoor furniture, playground equipment, beneath vehicle side mirrors, in plant pots, along building overhangs, and within storage areas. They’re more likely to build webs in human-frequented areas than black widows.
Why they’re dangerous: Brown widow venom contains neurotoxins similar to black widow venom but they typically inject less venom when biting. Bites cause localized pain, muscle cramps, and other symptoms but are generally considered less severe than black widow bites. However, individual reactions vary, and you should still seek medical attention if bitten.
Brown Recluse Spider
The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) might be Arkansas’s most medically significant spider due to its cytotoxic venom that destroys tissue. These spiders commonly inhabit both rural and urban environments throughout the state.
Pro Tip: The brown recluse gets its name from both its coloration and reclusive behavior—it actively avoids human contact and typically only bites when trapped against skin in clothing or bedding.
What they look like: These soft-bodied spiders measure 6-11 millimeters in length with long, slender legs. Coloration ranges from tan to dark brown, and most specimens display a distinctive dark violin or fiddle-shaped marking on the cephalothorax (head region). Unlike most spiders with eight eyes, brown recluses have only six eyes arranged in three pairs.
Where you’ll find them: True to their name, brown recluses seek dark, undisturbed locations. Outdoors, they hide under rocks, in woodpiles, and beneath bark or debris. Indoors, they favor closets, attics, basements, storage boxes, behind furniture, and inside shoes or clothing that hasn’t been worn recently. They hunt at night and rest during the day.
Why they’re dangerous: Brown recluse venom contains enzymes that destroy cell membranes and tissues, causing necrotic lesions that can take weeks or months to heal. Bites initially feel painless but within hours develop into a painful, blistered area with a characteristic “bull’s-eye” appearance. In severe cases, the wound becomes a deep, crater-like ulcer requiring extensive medical care. Systemic symptoms can include fever, chills, nausea, and in rare cases, organ damage. Most bites occur on hands and arms when people reach into storage areas, or on the body when spiders become trapped in clothing.
Striped Bark Scorpion
The striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) represents Arkansas’s most common scorpion species and the one you’re most likely to encounter. While scorpions might seem exotic for Arkansas, this species thrives throughout the state, particularly in rocky and wooded areas.
What they look like: These scorpions reach 1-3 inches in length with slender, flattened bodies ranging from yellowish-tan to light brown. Two dark stripes run lengthwise down the back, giving them their “striped bark” name. Like all scorpions, they have eight legs, two large pincers, and a segmented tail that curves upward, ending in a venomous stinger.
Where you’ll find them: Striped bark scorpions prefer hiding beneath bark, rocks, logs, and leaf litter during the day. They’re perfectly camouflaged against tree bark and rocky surfaces. Around homes, they seek shelter in woodpiles, under boards, inside shoes left outside, and occasionally enter structures through cracks and gaps. These nocturnal hunters become active at night, searching for insects and spiders.
Common Mistake: Many people kill scorpions on sight out of fear, but these arachnids provide valuable pest control by eating insects like cockroaches, crickets, and centipedes.
Why they’re dangerous: Striped bark scorpion venom is neurotoxic but relatively mild compared to more dangerous scorpion species found in the southwestern United States. Stings cause immediate sharp pain, localized swelling, and numbness that typically subsides within hours. Most healthy adults experience symptoms comparable to a wasp sting. However, young children, elderly individuals, and those with allergies may experience more severe reactions including difficulty breathing, muscle twitching, or irregular heartbeat, requiring medical attention.
Eastern Yellowjacket
The eastern yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) ranks among Arkansas’s most aggressive stinging insects and causes more painful encounters than most other wasps. These social insects defend their colonies vigorously, making them a genuine hazard during outdoor activities.
What they look like: Workers measure 10-16 millimeters long with the characteristic wasp body—smooth, hairless, with a narrow “waist” between thorax and abdomen. They display bright yellow and black banded patterns on the abdomen. Unlike fuzzy bees, yellowjackets have a sleek, shiny appearance with long, dangling legs during flight.
Where you’ll find them: Eastern yellowjackets build papery nests from chewed wood fibers, typically in underground cavities like abandoned rodent burrows, hollow logs, or beneath building foundations. By late summer, colonies can contain thousands of workers, making disturbance extremely dangerous. They’re attracted to sugary drinks, meats, and garbage at outdoor gatherings.
Key Insight: Yellowjackets become increasingly aggressive in late summer and fall as colony populations peak and food sources decline, leading to more frequent human encounters at picnics and outdoor events.
Why they’re dangerous: Unlike honeybees that sting once and die, yellowjackets can sting repeatedly, injecting venom containing histamine that causes pain, redness, and swelling. Multiple stings can deliver dangerous venom doses, and disturbing a nest may trigger attacks by dozens or hundreds of workers. Some individuals experience severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) that can cause throat swelling, difficulty breathing, and potentially death without immediate medical intervention. Even without allergies, multiple stings can cause systemic reactions requiring emergency care.
Bald-faced Hornet
The bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) isn’t actually a true hornet but a large, aggressive yellowjacket species that builds distinctive aerial nests. These insects inspire fear—and rightfully so—due to their size, defensive behavior, and powerful sting.
What they look like: These robust insects measure 15-20 millimeters long—significantly larger than typical yellowjackets. Unlike most wasps, bald-faced hornets display predominantly black coloration with white or ivory markings on the face (hence “bald-faced”), thorax, and abdominal tip. Their large size and contrasting colors make them easy to identify.
Where you’ll find them: Bald-faced hornets construct large, gray, football-shaped paper nests suspended from tree branches, building overhangs, or other elevated structures. Nests can reach basketball size by late summer, housing 400-700 workers. They prefer building 3-60 feet above ground, though occasionally nest in bushes or on structures.
Important Note: Bald-faced hornets aggressively defend an area extending up to 25 feet from their nest, attacking any perceived threat with little provocation.
Why they’re dangerous: These hornets inject venom containing proteins that cause intense pain, rapid swelling, and inflammatory responses. Their larger size means they deliver more venom per sting than smaller wasps. When threatened, they can sting multiple times and release alarm pheromones that summon other colony members to attack. The coordinated mass attacks can overwhelm victims, and the sheer number of stings—combined with venom effects—can cause serious medical emergencies even in non-allergic individuals. People with venom allergies face life-threatening anaphylactic reactions requiring immediate epinephrine injection.
Paper Wasp
Paper wasps (Polistes spp.) represent several species common throughout Arkansas, building their distinctive open-comb nests under eaves, in attics, and on outdoor structures. While less aggressive than yellowjackets or hornets, these beneficial insects still defend their nests when threatened.
What they look like: Paper wasps measure 16-20 millimeters long with slender bodies and characteristic long, dangling legs during flight. Most species display brownish coloration with yellow markings, though patterns vary by species. Their narrow waist and smooth, hairless bodies distinguish them from bees.
Where you’ll find them: These wasps build umbrella-shaped paper nests with exposed hexagonal cells attached to surfaces by a single stem. Common nest locations include under roof eaves, porch ceilings, deck railings, door frames, attic spaces, and tree branches. Unlike enclosed yellowjacket nests, paper wasp nests remain open, making individual wasps visible on the comb.
Pro Tip: Paper wasps are valuable garden allies, feeding their larvae caterpillars including corn earworms, armyworms, and other pest species, making them beneficial for pest control when nests aren’t in high-traffic areas.
Why they’re dangerous: Paper wasp venom causes immediate burning pain, redness, and localized swelling. While generally less aggressive than yellowjackets, they will sting to defend their nest, and individual wasps can sting multiple times. The pain typically subsides within hours, but allergic reactions can develop, ranging from extensive swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Most stings occur when people unknowingly disturb nests during yard work or when wasps build in high-traffic areas like doorways.
Honey Bee
The honey bee (Apis mellifera)—Arkansas’s state insect—plays a crucial role in pollinating crops and native plants throughout the state. While generally docile, these beneficial insects will defend their hives when threatened, and their stings can be dangerous for allergic individuals.
What they look like: Worker honey bees measure 12-15 millimeters long with robust, fuzzy bodies covered in branched hairs that collect pollen. They display golden-brown and black banding patterns on the abdomen. Unlike wasps, honey bees appear “furry” and have thicker bodies. Their appearance varies slightly among different subspecies and strains.
Where you’ll find them: Honey bees establish colonies in tree cavities, building walls, attics, chimneys, and other protected spaces. Each hive contains a single queen, thousands of female workers, and seasonal male drones. You’ll commonly see worker bees visiting flowers for nectar and pollen during daylight hours. Swarms occasionally cluster on tree branches or structures when colonies split.
Common Mistake: Many people confuse aggressive yellowjackets with honey bees, but honey bees are generally non-aggressive unless defending their hive and focus on flower visitation rather than investigating human food.
Why they’re dangerous: When a honey bee stings, its barbed stinger lodges in the skin and tears from the bee’s body, causing the bee’s death. The detached stinger continues pumping venom for several minutes, so immediate removal minimizes venom injection. The venom causes localized pain, redness, and swelling in most people. However, approximately 5-7% of Americans have severe bee venom allergies that can trigger anaphylactic shock, causing difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, dizziness, and potentially death without immediate treatment. Multiple stings can overwhelm the body’s systems even in non-allergic individuals, particularly affecting children or smaller adults.
Fire Ant
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) arrived in Arkansas near El Dorado in 1958 and has since spread throughout the state, becoming one of the most problematic invasive species. These aggressive ants deliver painful stings that have sent countless Arkansans seeking medical treatment.
What they look like: Individual fire ants measure 2-6 millimeters long, varying by caste within the colony. Workers display reddish-brown to reddish-black coloration with darker abdomens. Their size variation within a single colony helps distinguish them from native ant species. They have a characteristic two-segment “waist” (petiole) connecting thorax to abdomen.
Where you’ll find them: Fire ants build dome-shaped mounds in sunny, open areas including lawns, pastures, roadsides, parks, and agricultural fields. A single mound may house 100,000-500,000 workers. After rainfall, workers rebuild damaged mounds, making them especially prominent. The ants also nest under objects like landscape timbers, sidewalks, and building foundations. When their mound is disturbed, workers swarm out aggressively to defend the colony.
Key Insight: Fire ants don’t just sting—they bite to anchor themselves, then pivot their bodies to sting multiple times in a circular pattern, injecting venom with each sting.
Why they’re dangerous: Fire ant venom contains toxic proteins (solenopsin) that cause immediate, intense burning pain—hence their name. Within 24 hours, stings develop into characteristic white pustules that persist for days. Scratching these pustules can lead to secondary bacterial infections. Beyond individual stings, fire ants attack en masse, with hundreds potentially stinging simultaneously. Some individuals develop severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis requiring emergency care. The ants’ aggressive defense behavior, combined with their abundance in residential areas, makes them a significant public health concern throughout Arkansas.
Staying Safe Around Arkansas’s Venomous Animals
Arkansas’s diverse ecosystems support various venomous species, but serious injuries remain rare when you follow basic precautions.
Most venomous animals only use their weapons defensively when threatened, disturbed, or accidentally contacted. Your best protection combines awareness, proper clothing, and respectful distance from wildlife.
Wear appropriate clothing: Close-toed shoes or boots protect your feet and ankles from snake bites during hikes. Long pants reduce exposure when walking through vegetation or rocky areas. Gloves prevent spider bites when reaching into dark spaces, handling firewood, or moving debris.
Watch where you step and reach: Snakes often bask on warm rocks, logs, or trails, so watch your footing in their habitat. Never place your hands or feet where you cannot see, whether reaching into woodpiles, under rocks, or into dark spaces. Use a stick to move items rather than bare hands.
Stay on established trails: Maintained paths give you better visibility of your surroundings and reduce encounters with hidden animals. Trails also help you avoid disturbing snake dens, spider webs, or insect nests tucked into vegetation or rock crevices.
Make noise while hiking: Snakes detect ground vibrations and typically move away from approaching footsteps. Talking, using trekking poles, or shuffling your feet gives animals time to leave your path before you arrive.
Inspect before sitting or sleeping outdoors: Check camping gear, shoes, and sleeping areas for spiders, scorpions, or insects before use. Shake out clothing and footwear that’s been sitting outside. Keep tents zipped closed and check sleeping bags before climbing in.
Leave animals alone: Never attempt to handle, capture, or kill venomous animals. Even dead snakes can bite reflexively for up to an hour after death through muscle contractions. Give snakes at least six feet of space and back away calmly if you encounter them. Provocation causes most bites and stings.
Be especially careful at dawn and dusk: Many venomous animals, including snakes and scorpions, are most active during twilight hours. Use flashlights when walking at night and watch your step carefully.
Maintain your property: Keep grass mowed short around homes to reduce snake habitat. Remove debris piles, woodpiles, and dense vegetation near structures. Seal cracks and gaps in foundations to prevent scorpions and spiders from entering buildings. Control rodent populations that attract snakes.
Seek medical attention promptly: If bitten or stung by any venomous animal, remain calm and seek medical care immediately. Remove jewelry from affected limbs before swelling begins. Do not attempt to capture or kill the animal—photos from a safe distance help with identification. Never apply tourniquets, cut the wound, or attempt to suck out venom, as these outdated methods cause more harm.
Arkansas’s venomous animals deserve respect, not fear. They play vital roles in controlling rodent populations, pollinating plants, and maintaining ecosystem balance.
By learning to identify these creatures and understanding their behavior, you can safely enjoy everything the Natural State offers while coexisting peacefully with its remarkable wildlife.
