The Biggest Snake Ever Found in Texas

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Texas is home to an outstanding 105 species of snakes! It is thought to be the state with the most species of snakes in the entire USA. Many of Texas’s snakes are unique for various reasons. Texas’ copperheads such as the southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix), broad-banded copperhead (Agkistrodon laticinctus), and the Trans-Pecos copperhead (Agkistrodon Pictigaster) often freeze when spotted in hopes of not being seen.

The rat snake, another Texas snake, rattles its tail like a venomous rattlesnake in hopes of tricking anyone that sees it into believing that it is more dangerous than it is. However, one Texas snake species is famous for a unique reason; its insane length. Let’s take a dive and discover the biggest snake ever found in Texas.

What is the Biggest Snake Ever Found In Texas?

According to multiple reports, the biggest snake ever discovered in Texas was an 8.5 feet Texas indigo snake. Not much information was provided about this record. However, considering the Texas indigo snake’s average length, the claim is a believable one.

Texas Indigo Snake (Drymarchon melanurus erebennus)

Texas indigo snakes (Drymarchon melanurus erebennus) are native to Texas and Mexico. They are molted snakes that grow between 5½ and 6½ feet in length. It is safe to say that they are long snakes in general. Texas indigo snakes are active during the day, making them diurnal predators.

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Most snakes kill through venom or constriction but indigo snakes do not. During the day, they hunt down prey and kill them by overpowering them. They do this by clamping them in their strong jaws and biting down until their prey is subdued. Texas indigo snakes are known to go for animals that are many times their size. They are not picky eaters either. They eat anything from amphibians and reptiles to small mammals and even venomous snakes. An indigo snake specimen was once found with mice, toads, and juvenile snapping turtles in its belly.

Female Texas indigo snakes can have up to 12 babies at a time but sometimes, have as little as three. They lay their eggs about 1 month after mating during the winter and early spring. Female indigo snakes are picky about where they lay their young. They search for underground burrows where they incubate their eggs. Newly born indigo snakes are usually between 14 to 18 inches in length but can be up to 24 inches long on occasion.

Are Texas Indigo Snakes Venomous?

Texas indigo snakes are nonvenomous colubrid snakes. However, despite this, they attack, kill, and eat venomous snakes. They are said to have built a tolerance to rattlesnake venom- just like ground squirrels. Though they lack venom in their bites, these snakes are not harmless or defenseless. They are known to bite painfully if they feel threatened.

How To Identify Texas Indigo Snakes

Texas indigo snakes have dorsal stripes that are mostly colored black. They are known to have pink underbellies and grow to an average of 6 ft (1.8 m) in height.

Where Are Texas Indigo Snakes Found in Texas?

Texas indigo snakes are found around grassland water areas located in southern Texas. They have also been spotted at the Edwards Plateau in western-Central Texas

Is the Indigo Snake Protected in Texas?

In the state of Texas, the indigo snake is protected. This means that they cannot be hunted or killed.

Are Indigo Snakes And Black Racers The Same?

Black racers are long and slender colubrid snakes that have no venom. They are not the same as indigo snakes. Racer snakes move much faster than indigo snakes, hence their name.

Are Indigo Snakes Aggressive?

Although these snakes aren’t naturally aggressive, they attack aggressively when they hunt or defend themselves. They avoid human contact and can react extremely violently if cornered.  

Long Snakes in Texas

Texas is home to some snake species that are close to the indigo snake in length. Let’s take a look:

Bullsnakes

Bullsnakes are one of the largest snakes in the entire country, so it’s no shocker that they make this list. They can grow to up to 8 feet and are found in the western two-thirds of the state. They have a color pattern similar to diamondback rattlesnakes’. 

Bullsnakes are also called gopher snakes, which they are a subspecies of. If they are threatened, bullsnakes sometimes wave their tails to mimic venomous diamondback rattlesnakes. They are also known to bite aggressively despite their lack of venom.

Yellow-Bellied Racer Snakes

Yellow-bellied racer snakes are known to run up to 3-4 miles per hour. They are also known for being a bit aggressive. They are non-venomous snakes but this doesn’t hinder them from biting painfully if they feel threatened.

What To Do If You Spot A Snake In Texas

If you spot a snake in Texas, the first step you should take should be to exit as calmly as possible. You do not want to agitate or threaten the snake with sudden actions. Your next action should depend on where you spotted the snake.

If you spotted the snake in your home, contact Texas Pest Control services. Remember that snakes are an important part of the ecosystem, like all animals, and shouldn’t be killed recklessly. If the snake was spotted outdoors, simply keep your distance and ensure you stay far away.

What To Do If You Get Bitten By a Snake in Texas

If you get bitten by a snake in Texas, exit the location and contact emergency services immediately. While you wait, here are some tips to follow.

• Do not attempt to cut off the bitten part. An amputation cannot be reversed and could even worsen the situation. Most snake bites have antivenom treatment.
• Stay calm and do not move around. If you were bitten by a venomous snake, moving around could help the venom circulate.
• Do not attempt to suck the venom out. It could get into your mouth and will probably not come out fully, thus poisoning you in two ways.