There are 17 species of snakes in Minnesota. Two of them – – the timber rattlesnake and the massasauga – – are venomous.
These venomous species are relatively rare and they are hardly ever seen anywhere near urban areas. They are thought to be in the southeastern part of the state and are treated as endangered species. Thus, they protected by the state law.
Although venomous snakes are dangerous, their bites are rarely fatal.
The pupils of poisonous snake are oval. (Non-poisonous snakes have round pupils.)
Poisonous snake have undivided scales on the underside of the tail. (The scales are divided in harmless snakes.)