Venomous Waters: Mississippi’s Lakes with the Most Snake Sightings

Mississippi is home to several different snake species, some of which are venomous, due to its varied terrain and profusion of fauna.

Although the majority of snakes are not dangerous to people, some lakes in the state are well-known for having a greater than average population of poisonous reptiles.

We’ll examine these notorious lakes that are filled with snakes in this post, giving you the knowledge you need to enjoy the outdoors safely.

Enid Lake

Even though Enid Lake is small, some large snakes live there. The common watersnake, which is frequently confused with the cottonmouth, is most likely what Enid Lake was home to.

Older water snakes may darken to the point of becoming entirely black, but most of the time, they are yellow with large brown bands scattered across their bodies.

In the wild, they can reach a length of 4.5 feet and have bellies that are white, yellow, or gray with reddish or black crescents. These daytime and nighttime active watersnakes favor their prey to be small fish, frogs, and insects that are along the water’s edge.

Horn Lake

This lake is located approximately 12 miles from the Southaven, Mississippi, suburb and 17 miles from Memphis’ western edge. It is also located just south of the Tennessee state boundary.

Poisonous snakes have sharp snouts and triangular skulls. Their eyes contain slit pupils that resemble the pupils of a sleeping cat. The heads and snouts of non-venomous snakes are rounded, and their pupils are typically spherical.

Venomous Waters: Mississippi’s Lakes with the Most Snake Sightings — Image Via: Homes.com

The cottonmouth, which is brown with darker brown bands and is typically found near water, is the most common venomous snake in Mississippi.

Sardis Lake

Adjacent to the Sardis Dam on the Little Tallahatchie River is a reservoir known as Sardis Lake. But there are plenty of rattlesnakes in the vicinity of Sardis Lake.

These deadly serpents are distinguished by their rattle, which is produced by a sequence of interlocking scales that grow longer at the end of the snake’s tail with each molt.

While strolling around the lake or playing golf, keep an eye out for these tan and brown-striped animals, as rattlesnakes are poisonous and can only bite when they are coiled.

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Grenada Lake

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is in charge of overseeing this 35,000-acre lake in order to provide a secure and healthy home for the creatures that inhabit it and its environs.

Grenada Lake is also home to numerous coral snakes because of its flourishing ecology. The ones in Mississippi are remarkably colorful, with a yellow band encircling the head and alternating broad black and red bands divided by small yellow bands.

These only emerge when it rains and spend the majority of their time hidden beneath the earth or among leaves.

Despite their poisonous nature, coral snakes are not aggressive and rarely bite; in fact, less than 1% of treated snake bites in the US are caused by coral snakes.

Final Thoughts

It’s vital to be mindful of the possible risks connected with coming into contact with snakes, even if Mississippi’s lakes provide stunning beauty and leisure activities.

It is safe to enjoy outdoor excursions if you are aware of the snake species that inhabit these lakes and take the appropriate measures.

Remain vigilant at all times, keep your distance from reptiles, and get help right once if you get bitten.

By: worldatlas.com