Running into a poisonous snake is a real risk for hikers, campers, or anyone prepping for emergencies. Knowing which snakes to avoid can make all the difference.
While it’s smart to carry a snake bite first aid kit, prevention is always better. Learning about the most dangerous snakes helps you stay alert and avoid a potential bite.
In this article, we’re focusing on the top poisonous snakes in the United States based on their venom, behavior, and likelihood of encounters. We’ve selected snakes that pose the biggest threat, leaving out less dangerous or rarer species.
1. Mojave Rattlesnake

Considered to be the most venomous snake in the US. The onset of symptoms can be deceptively slow but serious complications like difficulty in breathing suddenly set in. If you are bitten by this snake with its brown diamond pattern seek help immediately. Untreated venomous bites are likely fatal.
2. Tiger Rattlesnake

The rattlesnake with the smallest head is the most vicious. Unlike its Mojave cousin, it releases a much smaller amount of venom per bite, reducing the overall effect. It is still very dangerous, however, and is luckily only found in Arizona on the border with Mexico.
3. Copperhead Snake

If you are bitten in the USA, this snake will likely be the culprit. Most snakes will leave the scene if they hear noise or see a larger animal approaching. The copperhead, however, will stay in place, hoping they go unnoticed. However, if you come too close, they will feel threatened and strike.
This is the number one reason why copperheads bite more humans than any other snake. The silver lining to their story is that they are probably the least venomous snake on the list. If possible, you still need to seek medical attention with any snake bite, but on average, the bite you receive will be the least lethal one!
4. Black Diamond Rattlesnake

Another common reason for emergency trips to the hospital is the black diamond rattlesnake, which is found throughout the western half of the country. This time, however, its bite is much more deadly, and the medical team must carefully monitor it in case repeat treatment is required.
5. Timber Rattlesnake

The timber rattlesnake is the friendliest snake on the list. As the least aggressive rattlesnake you are likely to encounter, the blame likely lies with you if a timber rattlesnake bites you. All rattlesnakes warn their victim before striking, usually to conserve energy and the need for more food. A timber snake will warn you much longer than other snakes, giving you ample time to move away.
6. Eastern Diamondback

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in the Americas and possibly the world. It can grow 2 to 3 feet longer than the average human and weigh over 35 pounds. Its large fangs can inject three times the lethal dose of venom into a victim, requiring significant amounts of antivenom to counteract.
With a strike distance of up to 3 feet, one in five victims of eastern diamondback encounters dies. The majority of snakebite deaths each year are a result of this species. If you live in the Southeast U.S., avoid any snake with black diamonds trimmed with yellow.
7. Western Diamondback

8. Cottonmouth Snake

Cottonmouth snakes take their name from their pure white mouths. When feeling threatened they will hiss and open their mouths wide for a very long time. This is the reason for their name and gives you time to avoid this aggressive snake. As the world’s only semi-aquatic viper you are only likely to see it around the shores, swamps and lakes of the east coast.
9. Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake

The yellow-bellied sea snake is a highly venomous water-dwelling species. Its bite contains enough venom to kill 40 humans but primarily feeds on fish and rarely leaves the water. This black and yellow snake evolved from Australian land snakes, and fortunately, the antivenom is well-developed and effective.
31 Venomous Animals You Should Avoid at All Costs

Many people confuse venomous and poisonous animals, but these terms are not the same. Poisonous animals release toxins when touched or ingested, while venomous creatures deliver toxins through bites or stings. Venom varies greatly among species, with some animals developing specialized methods to defend themselves or catch prey.
The danger of a venomous animal is often measured using the lethal dose 50% (LD50) metric, which shows how much venom is needed to kill half of a group of lab mice. The LD50 helps understand venom’s potency, but factors like the amount of venom injected and the physical trauma caused are also important. From jellyfish tentacles to snake fangs, these adaptations can be deadly. Here are 31 venomous animals you should avoid at all costs.
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I’ve only encountered 2 poisonous snakes. A copperhead and 3 water moccasins. 2 in my yard one on a bike trail that struck at my bike. I spotted a copperhead in a tree stump as a kid and went back with a bb gun only to find it not there and nothing but leaves on the ground. Scary…….
I had a cattle ranch in eastern oregon ,,, had a snake den with hundreds of snakes ,snake bites happened we used a hand taser to zap the bite ,some thing about polarizing the poison , had to be done right after the bite before the poison had a chance to spread ,but it did work ,i used it on cattle and horses ,,,,,,,,,and me ,twice ,worked better than a cut down ,less post infections ,remember this was before cell phones and it was 54 miles to a phone and 2 hrs on dirt and back roads to nearest doc, and we’re most often all alone, every fall we poured gas in the den and lit it helped a little ,
Cows are waiting ,back to work