Venomous snakes and spiders in Washington
Washington has one venomous snake species among the 11 snake species listed there: western rattlesnake. The western rattlesnake accounts for the most records (859), and venomous species make up 16% of all 5,299 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, one species is medically significant: western black widow.
Venomous snakes of Washington
The only venomous snake on the Washington list is the western rattlesnake, with 859 licensed records, 16% of all snake records in the state.
Dangerous spiders of Washington
One widow species (Western black widow: 25 records) is on the Washington list. There is no recluse spider on the Washington list: no recluse species reaches 10 records in the state. 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 Washington?
Yes. Two scorpion species are recorded in Washington, from 15 licensed records: Northern scorpion (10 records), California forest scorpion (5 records). Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Washington list.
Other snakes recorded most in Washington
These eight account for 70% of all licensed snake records in Washington; the most recorded, the northwestern garter snake, alone for 25%.
Other spiders recorded most in Washington
These eight account for 48% of all licensed spider records in Washington; the most recorded, the garden spider, alone for 20%.
All 157 spiders of Washington →
When venomous snakes are out in Washington
Observation records of venomous snakes in Washington run mostly April through August, peaking in May with 37% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so venomous snakes in Washington are rarely recorded in winter.
When spiders are most active in Washington
Observation records of spiders in Washington run mostly March through October, peaking in September with 18% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 5% of the records.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Okanogan County has the most records of venomous snakes in Washington, 673, most of them of the western rattlesnake. Kittitas County and Chelan County follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Okanogan County | 673 | Western rattlesnake |
| 2 | Kittitas County | 51 | Western rattlesnake |
| 3 | Chelan County | 30 | Western rattlesnake |
| 4 | Klickitat County | 25 | Western rattlesnake |
| 5 | Grant County | 22 | Western rattlesnake |
| 6 | Snohomish County | 10 | Western rattlesnake |
| 7 | Asotin County | 8 | Western rattlesnake |
| 8 | Lincoln County | 6 | Western rattlesnake |
| 9 | Whitman County | 6 | Western rattlesnake |
| 10 | Yakima County | 6 | Western rattlesnake |
Where in Washington are snakes recorded most?
King County leads with 740 records (14%), followed by Okanogan County and Pierce County; the top five counties hold 48% of the total. 39 of Washington's 39 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King County | 740 | 14.0% |
| 2 | Okanogan County | 740 | 14.0% |
| 3 | Pierce County | 449 | 8.5% |
| 4 | Thurston County | 322 | 6.1% |
| 5 | San Juan County | 285 | 5.4% |
| 6 | Mason County | 214 | 4.0% |
| 7 | Skagit County | 185 | 3.5% |
| 8 | Whatcom County | 184 | 3.5% |
| 9 | Jefferson County | 175 | 3.3% |
| 10 | Kitsap County | 165 | 3.1% |
| 11 | Clallam County | 154 | 2.9% |
| 12 | Kittitas County | 150 | 2.8% |
Washington counties with their own page: King County, Okanogan County and Pierce County.
Are there poisonous snakes in Washington?
Yes. Washington has one venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: western rattlesnake. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Washington?
Yes. One species is on the Washington list: the western rattlesnake, with 859 licensed records. Most licensed records of the western rattlesnake come from Okanogan County, Kittitas County and Chelan County.
Are there copperheads in Washington?
No. GBIF holds no copperhead record for Washington under any license.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Washington?
No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Washington under any license.
Are there coral snakes in Washington?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for Washington under any license.
Western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
Washington has 859 licensed records of the western rattlesnake, which ranks the state 2nd of the 9 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Washington run mostly April through August, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Okanogan County, Kittitas County and Chelan County. Range in other states and photos: Western rattlesnake profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Washington
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 Washington.
What looks like a rattlesnake in Washington
Rattlesnakes: 859 licensed records in Washington. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: gopher snake (246). It has 246 licensed records, and here the venomous species are the more recorded side, 3.5 to 1.
What looks like a coral snake in Washington
No coral snakes reach the Washington list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Washington under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: California mountain kingsnake (9).
What looks like a widow spider in Washington
Widow spiders: 25 licensed records in Washington. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: false black widow (62), common house spider (30) and triangulate bud spider (8). Together they have 100 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 4 times as often.
What looks like a recluse spider in Washington
No recluse spiders reach the Washington list, and GBIF holds no recluse spider record for Washington under any license, so a spider taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: longbodied cellar spider (48), hobo spider (16) and spitting spider (1).
How Washington compares
By count of venomous snake species, Washington ranks 37th of 50 states, level with 8 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Of the two states bordering Washington, Idaho lists more venomous snake species; Oregon lists as many (Washington: 1 species; Idaho 2, Oregon 1).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Washington: the prairie rattlesnake (Idaho). The most widely shared is the western rattlesnake, listed in both bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Washington?
Does Washington have black widows?
Yes. One widow species is on the Washington list: the western black widow (25 records).
Does Washington have brown recluse spiders?
No. GBIF holds no brown recluse record for Washington under any license.
Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus)
Washington has 25 licensed records of the western black widow, which ranks the state 8th of the 18 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Western black widow profile.
More for Washington
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.