PictureBlack Rat Snake
Black Rat Snake- or Western Rat Snake, longest snake in North America, lengths of up to 8 feet and are excellent climbers.  Adults have black bodies with white/gray bellies.  They are non venomous and will produce a musky scent if threatened. Can be found in attics and crawl spaces.
PictureGarter Snake
Garter Snake- also referred to as gardener or garden snake and are non venomous. Most common snake seen in our area.  Brown to black body with yellow stripes down the back, 2 to 4 feet in length.  Babies are born alive, not from eggs.
PictureCopperhead
Copperhead- Venomous, because of the high population of these snakes in our area, they are the most common snake bite.  They have a distinct hourglass shaped band on the back, they are easily camouflaged because of their tan/brown color.  Babies are born alive, not from eggs, they have a yellow tail when young.
They have thick, heavy bodies and lengths of 2 to 4 feet.
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PictureRing Neck
Ring Necked Snake- short, slender body.  Black body,ring behind head with bright colored belly usually yellow, orange or red.  Harmless, average length is 2 ft.
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PictureYellow Bellied Water Snake
Yellow Bellied Water Snake- brown to black body with yellow belly. Average length is 2 to 3 feet, non venomous.  They can be found in water and on land near water.
PictureBrown Snake
Brown Snake- known as the "city snake" because they are very common in residential areas.  Small in size, 9 to 21 inches, with gray to brown bodies with rows of spots along the back. Babies are born alive, not from eggs.
PictureBlue Racer
Blue Racer Snake-non venomous, 4 to 6 feet and can move fast.  Large eyes with great eyesight, they will lift their head above grass to look for prey.  Blue/gray body with cream belly.
Other snakes found in the Kansas City metro area are: bull snakes, rough and smooth earth snakes, king snakes, milk snakes, hog nosed snakes, coachwhips, rough and smooth green snakes, timber rattlesnakes, and more.