Venomous snakes found in south central Oklahoma include the copperhead, western cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, western diamondback rattlesnake and western pygmy rattlesnake. Two of these snakes -- copperheads and western cottonmouths -- are found near the state's wetlands area, while the rattlesnakes species are in drier habitats. Oklahoma's venomous snakes have two fangs which inject venom into their prey when they bite. Venom paralyzes the prey, allowing the snakes to consume their prey without fear of being harmed in the process. These snakes are also known as pit vipers, due to the groove, or "pit," between their eyelids.
Three species of water snakes live in the south central region of Oklahoma: broad-bellied water snake, diamondback water snake and plain-bellied water snake. These snake species live in wetland habitats and spend approximately 80 percent of their time in freshwater lakes and streams. Most water snakes have similar physical characteristics as venomous snakes -- the plain-bellied water snake resembles the cottonmouth and diamondback water snake looks like a diamondback rattlesnake. Water snakes are not venomous, but they will bite or release a musky odor when threatened. Also, water snakes swim with their lower body underneath the water's surface and their upper body on the surface.
South central Oklahoma's garter snake species include the common garter snake and Marcy's checkered garter snake. The most frequently seen garter snake in south central is the common garter snake, which is also one of the most widely distributed snakes in North America. Common garter snakes have dark skin with a thick yellow stripe running the length of its body. These snakes are semi-aquatic, living near streams but also in forested regions. Marcy's checkered garter snakes prefer drier, prairie environments and live on the western edge of south central Oklahoma. As its name suggests, the Marcy's checkered snakes have a black-and-white checker pattern on its body. Neither garter snake species is venomous.
Colubrids are among the most common families of snake species in the world. South central Oklahoma colubrids include the speckled king snake, milk snake, prairie king snake, Great Plains rat snake and the black rat snake. All colubrid snakes are nonvenomous. Colubrids are important to the environment since they prevent the rodent population from becoming too abundant. The milk snake has a similar skin pattern -- red, black and yellow -- as the venomous coral snake -- red, yellow and black. However, coral snakes are not found in south central Oklahoma.