Venomous snakes and spiders in Nevada
Nevada has six venomous snake species among the 27 snake species listed there: western rattlesnake, sidewinder, Panamint rattlesnake, Mohave rattlesnake, southwestern speckled rattlesnake and western diamondback rattlesnake. The western rattlesnake accounts for the most records (461), and venomous species make up 25% of all 4,034 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, two species are medically significant: western black widow and desert recluse.
Venomous snakes of Nevada
Nevada's venomous snakes are six rattlesnake species. Together they account for 993 licensed records; the western rattlesnake alone has 46% of them, and the least recorded, the western diamondback rattlesnake, has 17.
Dangerous spiders of Nevada
One widow species (Western black widow: 40 records) and one recluse species (Desert recluse: 5 records) are on the Nevada list. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Are there scorpions in Nevada?
Yes. 14 scorpion species are recorded in Nevada, from 136 licensed records, the five most recorded: Northern scorpion (36 records), Black hairy scorpion (20 records), Beck desert scorpion (18 records), Arizona bark scorpion (14 records), Yellow ground scorpion (14 records). Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is on the Nevada list.
Also recorded in Nevada, fewer than 10 times
Beyond the main list, one scorpion species is known from Nevada by only five records of any license. It may be a genuine rarity at the edge of its range, or a stray, a released pet or an old misidentification, so treat it as unconfirmed.
Other snakes recorded most in Nevada
These eight account for 58% of all licensed snake records in Nevada; the most recorded, the gopher snake, alone for 17%.
Other spiders recorded most in Nevada
These eight account for 38% of all licensed spider records in Nevada; the most recorded, Habronattus tarsalis, alone for 10%.
When venomous snakes are out in Nevada
Observation records of venomous snakes in Nevada run mostly April through October, peaking in May with 25% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so venomous snakes in Nevada are rarely recorded in winter.
When spiders are most active in Nevada
Observation records of spiders in Nevada run mostly March through November, peaking in June with 15% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 5% of the records.
When scorpions are out in Nevada
Observation records of scorpions in Nevada run mostly April through October, peaking in May with 22% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 3% of the records.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Clark County has the most records of venomous snakes in Nevada, 391, most of them of the sidewinder. Washoe County and Nye County follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clark County | 391 | Sidewinder |
| 2 | Washoe County | 222 | Western rattlesnake |
| 3 | Nye County | 139 | Sidewinder |
| 4 | White Pine County | 67 | Western rattlesnake |
| 5 | Lincoln County | 39 | Western rattlesnake |
| 6 | Humboldt County | 20 | Western rattlesnake |
| 7 | Churchill County | 18 | Western rattlesnake |
| 8 | Elko County | 17 | Western rattlesnake |
| 9 | Mineral County | 15 | Western rattlesnake |
| 10 | Lyon County | 11 | Western rattlesnake |
Where in Nevada are snakes recorded most?
Clark County dominates: 34% of the state's licensed snake records come from it alone, and the top five counties hold 81%. 17 of Nevada's 17 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clark County | 1,378 | 34.2% |
| 2 | Nye County | 744 | 18.4% |
| 3 | Washoe County | 637 | 15.8% |
| 4 | White Pine County | 264 | 6.5% |
| 5 | Elko County | 232 | 5.8% |
| 6 | Lincoln County | 134 | 3.3% |
| 7 | Humboldt County | 111 | 2.8% |
| 8 | Mineral County | 108 | 2.7% |
| 9 | Esmeralda County | 88 | 2.2% |
| 10 | Lander County | 78 | 1.9% |
| 11 | Churchill County | 65 | 1.6% |
| 12 | Douglas County | 53 | 1.3% |
Nevada counties with their own page: Clark County, Nye County and Washoe County.
Are there poisonous snakes in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada has six venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: western rattlesnake, sidewinder, Panamint rattlesnake, Mohave rattlesnake, southwestern speckled rattlesnake and western diamondback rattlesnake. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Nevada?
Yes. Six species are on the Nevada list: the western rattlesnake, the sidewinder, the Panamint rattlesnake, the Mohave rattlesnake, the southwestern speckled rattlesnake and the western diamondback rattlesnake, with 993 licensed records between them. Most licensed records of the western rattlesnake come from Washoe County, White Pine County and Nye County.
Are there copperheads in Nevada?
No. GBIF holds no copperhead record for Nevada under any license.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Nevada?
No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Nevada under any license.
Are there coral snakes in Nevada?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for Nevada under any license.
Western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
Nevada has 461 licensed records of the western rattlesnake, which ranks the state 3rd of the 9 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Nevada run mostly May through October, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Washoe County, White Pine County and Nye County. Range in other states and photos: Western rattlesnake profile.
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)
Nevada has 305 licensed records of the sidewinder, which ranks the state 3rd of the 4 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Nevada come from Clark County, Nye County and Lincoln County. Range in other states and photos: Sidewinder profile.
Panamint rattlesnake (Crotalus stephensi)
Nevada has 108 licensed records of the Panamint rattlesnake, which ranks the state 2nd of the 2 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Nevada come from Clark County, Nye County and Esmeralda County. Range in other states and photos: Panamint rattlesnake profile.
Mohave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)
Nevada has 67 licensed records of the Mohave rattlesnake, which ranks the state 5th of the 6 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Nevada come from Clark County, Lincoln County and Nye County. Range in other states and photos: Mohave rattlesnake profile.
Southwestern speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus pyrrhus)
Nevada has 35 licensed records of the southwestern speckled rattlesnake, which ranks the state 3rd of the 4 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Nevada come from Clark County. Range in other states and photos: Southwestern speckled rattlesnake profile.
Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Nevada has 17 licensed records of the western diamondback rattlesnake, which ranks the state 6th of the 7 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Western diamondback rattlesnake profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Nevada
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in Nevada.
What looks like a rattlesnake in Nevada
Rattlesnakes: 993 licensed records in Nevada. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: gopher snake (673). It has 673 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a coral snake in Nevada
No coral snakes reach the Nevada list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Nevada under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: long-nosed snake (263) and Sonoran mountain kingsnake (12).
What looks like a widow spider in Nevada
Widow spiders: 40 licensed records in Nevada. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: triangulate bud spider (3) and false black widow (2). Together they have 5 licensed records, and here the venomous species are the more recorded side, 8.0 to 1.
How Nevada compares
By count of venomous snake species, Nevada ranks 8th of 50 states, level with Alabama, Kansas and South Carolina. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Of the five states bordering Nevada, Arizona and California list more venomous snake species (Nevada: 6 species; Arizona 14, California 7, Utah 5, Idaho 2, Oregon 1).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Nevada: the prairie rattlesnake (Arizona, Idaho and Utah); the Arizona black rattlesnake (Arizona); the black-tailed rattlesnake (Arizona); the red diamond rattlesnake (California); the ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Arizona); the rock rattlesnake (Arizona). The most widely shared is the western rattlesnake, listed in all five bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Nevada?
Does Nevada have black widows?
Yes. One widow species is on the Nevada list: the western black widow (40 records).
Does Nevada have brown recluse spiders?
No. GBIF holds no brown recluse record for Nevada under any license. Other recluse species on the Nevada list: the desert recluse.
Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus)
Nevada has 40 licensed records of the western black widow, which ranks the state 7th of the 18 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Nevada run mostly April through October, peaking in June; most licensed records come from Clark County, Washoe County and Nye County. Range in other states and photos: Western black widow profile.
Desert recluse (Loxosceles deserta)
Nevada has 5 licensed records of the desert recluse, which ranks the state 3rd of the 3 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Desert recluse profile.
More for Nevada
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.