The 5 Most Snake-Infested Lakes in Texas —Beware of These Danger Zones

TEXAS (DDN) – The Lone Star State is renowned for its tornadoes, country music, the Alamo, cowboy culture, and, in recent years, the character of Sheldon Cooper from a popular television show.
In Texas, you can encounter a variety of creatures, including black widow spiders, alligators, mountain lions, and scorpions.

Let’s not forget about snakes, likely the ultimate fear for many. While numerous harmless snake species inhabit the region, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about the presence of some dangerous varieties, especially in the lakes of Texas.
The waters listed below are known for having a high presence of snakes.

Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake spans an impressive 25,400 acres of wetland, gracefully straddling the border between Texas and Louisiana. The waterways are overrun with snakes and endangered by a plant known as Salvinia molesta, often referred to as Great Salvinia, which devastates the ecosystem just beneath the water’s surface.

A recent study reveals that visitors might encounter any of the 32 snake species inhabiting the lake and its nearby areas.
The most common species include the North American racer, western rat snake, and northern cottonmouth. Among the prevalent snake species are timber rattlesnakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, and crayfish snakes.

Lewisville Lake

Lewisville Lake, an essential reservoir for Dallas, was built to manage excess floodwaters. This reservoir boasts three dining options and six marinas, catering to a large influx of visitors during the summer months. In Lewisville Lake, you can also find diamondback water snakes and broad-banded watersnakes among the diverse snake species present.

Visitors to the lake often come across snakes like speckled kingsnakes, western coachwhips, and yellow-bellied racers.
Moreover, the lake is inhabited by venomous snakes including the copperhead and western cottonmouth.

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Toledo Bend Reservoir

Toledo Bend is yet another reservoir in Texas known for its snake population. The biggest man-made lake in the southern region can be found on the Sabine River, straddling the border of Louisiana and Texas.

This suggests that snakes possess the ability to navigate and remain buoyant in expansive aquatic environments. This lake hosts a diverse array of at least seven species, featuring southern copperheads, eastern cottonmouths, Texas coral snakes, and prairie kingsnakes. Reports have emerged of sightings of western pygmy and canebrake rattlesnakes in the area.

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Lake Texoma

Located approximately 726 miles upstream on the Red River, Denison Dam has given rise to Lake Texoma, which stands as one of the largest lakes in the United States. This reservoir attracts nearly 6 million visitors each year, showcasing its popularity.

Visitors to Lake Texoma should remain vigilant for snakes alongside the usual presence of alligators. Western diamondback racers and copperheads are on the move in this area.

At the lake, the feared rattlesnake makes its presence known. Additional species encompass pygmy rattlesnakes, western ribbon snakes, shiny snakes, Texas coral snakes, among others. Cottonmouths, western diamondback racers, and rattlesnakes are all dangerous, alongside the venomous copperhead.

Lake Sweetwater

Lake Sweetwater reaches a maximum depth of 45 feet and covers an area of 630 square acres. Residents of Texas and beyond frequent the local recreation area, drawn by its 18-hole golf course and various amenities.

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In the vicinity and the water, snakes are prevalent, similar to many other lakes across Texas.
Each March, approximately 25,000 individuals gather at the lake to experience the largest event of its kind featuring rattlesnakes.

Conclusion

Texas’ lakes are teeming with snakes. The vast expanses of water serve as a sanctuary for over 105 unique snake species and subspecies, providing perfect environments for both venomous and non-venomous varieties.

Additionally, while this might seem alarming, these snakes play a crucial role in maintaining Texas’s biodiversity.
Given their crucial role in maintaining the ecological harmony of lakes, it is vital that we approach these creatures with respect and ensure they have ample space when we encounter them in their natural habitat.

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