Grass snakes do not have the dark zigzag down their backs like adders, making them easy to tell apart. Grass snakes are grey-green coloured with black bars down their sides and a yellow and black ‘collar’ around the neck. They are found throughout England and Wales, but not Scotland.

The general color is gray brown to reddish brown, with a white or yellowish belly. Its back has a distinct tan stripe bordered by two rows of small, dark brown spots; the spots normally are joined by small lines across the tan stripe. The top of the head is usually dark.

The color of this snake varies from yellowish-brown and reddish-brown to dark brown or gray. There is a weakly defined lighter stripe down the back with a row of dark spots on either side. Dark lines cross the back, connecting the dark spots on either side.

Missouri has 47 species and sub species of snakes, but 88 percent of them are harmless. There are only five venomous snakes native to Missouri, they are (in order of most toxic to least toxic): Timber Rattlesnake (largest venomous snake) Cottonmouth (water moccasin) Pygmy Rattlesnake. Massasauga Rattlesnake (endangered)

Dangerous wild animals may be killed when on the loose in Missouri. Dangerous wild animals are specified to include lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate,…

Harmless snakes lack the pit and fangs venomous snakes have and their pupils are round. The most common venomous snake in Missouri is the copperhead. Other venomous snakes include the Osage and southern copperhead, cottonmouth, massasauga rattlesnake, western pygmy rattlesnake and timber rattlesnake.

Be aware in areas where snakes likely live: woodpiles,tall grassy areas,bluffs and rock ledges.