Snakes and spiders in Wilson County, Texas
Wilson County, home of Floresville, has 17 snake and 16 spider species on record, from 274 licensed snake and 657 spider records. Venomous species here: the broad-banded copperhead, the western diamondback rattlesnake, the Texas coral snake, the northern cottonmouth and the southern black widow.
Are there venomous snakes or spiders in Wilson County?
Yes. The broad-banded copperhead: 44 licensed records, 12% of all Texas records of it. The western diamondback rattlesnake: 21 licensed records, 1% of all Texas records of it. The Texas coral snake: 16 licensed records, 3% of all Texas records of it. The northern cottonmouth: 7 licensed records, 1% of all Texas records of it. The southern black widow: 11 licensed records, 6% of all Texas records of it.
What snakes are in Wilson County?
In all, 17 snake species are on the Wilson County list. The most recorded are the broad-banded copperhead (44), the western rat snake (27) and the checkered garter snake (22).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Texas records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broad-banded copperhead venomous Agkistrodon laticinctus | 44 | 12% |
| 2 | Western rat snake Pantherophis obsoletus | 27 | 2% |
| 3 | Checkered garter snake Thamnophis marcianus | 22 | 1% |
| 4 | Western diamondback rattlesnake venomous Crotalus atrox | 21 | 1% |
| 5 | Texas coral snake venomous Micrurus tener | 16 | 3% |
| 6 | Coachwhip Masticophis flagellum | 14 | 1% |
| 7 | Diamondback water snake Nerodia rhombifer | 13 | 1% |
| 8 | Rough greensnake Opheodrys aestivus | 13 | 2% |
| 9 | Great Plains rat snake Pantherophis emoryi | 12 | 2% |
| 10 | Western ribbon snake Thamnophis proximus | 12 | 0% |
| 11 | Glossy snake Arizona elegans | 11 | 1% |
| 12 | Eastern hog-nosed snake Heterodon platirhinos | 8 | 2% |
| 13 | Northern cottonmouth venomous Agkistrodon piscivorus | 7 | 1% |
| 14 | Rough earthsnake Haldea striatula | 7 | 0% |
| 15 | Texas blind snake Rena dulcis | 7 | 1% |
| 16 | Plain-bellied watersnake Nerodia erythrogaster | 4 | 0% |
| 17 | Texas patch-nosed snake Salvadora lineata | 4 | 4% |
When are snakes out in Wilson County?
Observation records of snakes in Wilson County run mostly March through November, peaking in July with 16% of them; across Texas the peak is April.
What spiders are in Wilson County?
In all, 16 spider species are on the Wilson County list. The most recorded are the rabid wolf spider (130), the black-and-yellow argiope (118) and Hogna antelucana (94).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Texas records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rabid wolf spider Rabidosa rabida | 130 | 12% |
| 2 | Black-and-yellow argiope Argiope aurantia | 118 | 6% |
| 3 | Hogna antelucana | 94 | 12% |
| 4 | Silver argiope Argiope argentata | 48 | 20% |
| 5 | Green lynx spider Peucetia viridans | 35 | 4% |
| 6 | Bold jumper Phidippus audax | 31 | 2% |
| 7 | Unbanded wolf spider Hogna baltimoriana | 31 | 48% |
| 8 | Spiny-backed orbweaver Gasteracantha cancriformis | 19 | 3% |
| 9 | Spotted orbweaver Neoscona crucifera | 16 | 4% |
| 10 | Western spotted orbweaver Neoscona oaxacensis | 14 | 3% |
| 11 | Southern black widow venomous Latrodectus mactans | 11 | 6% |
| 12 | Banded garden spider Argiope trifasciata | 8 | 4% |
| 13 | Twin-flagged jumping spider Anasaitis canosa | 5 | 1% |
| 14 | Familiar jumping spider Platycryptus undatus | 3 | 1% |
| 15 | Southwestern trapdoor spider Eucteniza relata | 3 | 7% |
| 16 | Three-lined maevia Paramaevia poultoni | 2 | 3% |
When are spiders out in Wilson County?
Observation records of spiders in Wilson County run mostly April through October, peaking in June with 19% of them; across Texas the peak is April.
What stands out in Wilson County
Species for which Wilson County holds a large share of all Texas records: the unbanded wolf spider, 48% (31 of 65); the silver argiope, 20% (48 of 235).
Common in Texas, not on the Wilson County list
Among the snakes most recorded across Texas, these do not reach the county list: the western ground snake (1,963 statewide), the gopher snake (1,440 statewide), the eastern copperhead (1,188 statewide) and the DeKay's brown snake (1,037 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.
Among the spiders most recorded across Texas, these do not reach the county list: the striped lynx spider (579 statewide) and Cicurina varians (514 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.
Harmless lookalikes in Wilson County
Copperheads are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the eastern hog-nosed snake and the plain-bellied watersnake. Cottonmouths are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the diamondback water snake and the plain-bellied watersnake. Rattlesnakes are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the Great Plains rat snake and the eastern hog-nosed snake.
Wilson County among Texas counties
By licensed snake records Wilson County ranks 35th of 254 Texas counties with any.
Other Texas counties with their own page: Travis County, Brewster County, Harris County, Brazos County, El Paso County, Jeff Davis County, Val Verde County and Bexar County.
The whole state: venomous species in Texas, all snakes, all spiders.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.