Diurnal snakes are species who are active during the daytime. All of Louisiana's diurnal snakes are non-venomous. Among Louisiana's diurnal snakes is one of the most common snake species in the United States: the garter snake. This snake is identified by the two head-to-tail stripes on its dorsal region. The longest diurnal snake in Louisiana is the coachwhip, which reaches lengths of 7.5 feet when it matures. Western and eastern ribbon, rough green and racer snakes round out the list of Louisiana's diurnal snake species.
The Pelican State has seven species of venomous snakes. Venomous snakes have fangs, which they use to inject venom into their prey. Three of Louisiana's venomous snakes are rattlesnakes and include the eastern diamondback, canebrake and pygmy. These snakes have rattles attached to the tips of their tails. Louisiana is also home to the copperhead and water moccasin; these two snakes primarily live in aquatic habitats such as bayous, rivers and swamps. The remaining two venomous snakes in Louisiana are eastern and Texas coral snakes; these two snakes are identified by the red-yellow-black ring patterns on their skin.
Louisiana's swamps, rivers and bayous serve as suitable habitats for non-venomous water snakes. The Nerodia genus of snakes are well represented in the Pelican State with species such as the diamond-backed, common, banded, Mississippi green, salt marsh and yellow-bellied water snakes. These snakes swim with most of their bodies underwater, as opposed to venomous water snakes, who swim with their entire bodies on the water's surface. The largest water snake in Louisiana is the diamond-backed, which is approximately 5 feet long. Louisiana's two other water snakes are from the Regina genus --- the glossy crayfish snake and Graham's crayfish snake.
The entire state of Louisiana is home to a collection of snakes whose length ranges from 1-2 feet. These snakes are usually found in gardens, forests and grasslands. The smallest snake in Louisiana is the Brahminy blind snake, which grows to 3-6 inches as an adult. These snakes are burrowing species, meaning they spend most of their time underground. Two other Louisiana burrowing snakes are the western and eastern worm snakes; both of these snakes are approximately 1 foot long. Louisiana is also home to two 1-foot earth snake species --- the rough earth snake and smooth earth snake.