List of fatal snake bites in the United States


This is a list of some people who received a fatal snake bite in the United States by decade in reverse chronological order. There is no evidence it is a comprehensive list.

Snake species

The United States has about 21 species of venomous snakes, which include 16 species of rattlesnakes, two species of coral snakes, 1 species of cottonmouth, and two species of copperhead. At least one species of venomous snake is found in every state except Hawaii and Alaska.
It has been estimated that 7,000–8,000 people per year receive venomous snake bites in the United States, and about five of those people die. Most fatal bites are attributed to the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the western diamondback rattlesnake. The copperhead accounts for more cases of venomous snake bite than any other North American species; however, its venom is the least toxic, so its bite is seldom fatal.
Venomous snakes are distributed unevenly throughout the United States — the vast majority of snake bites occur in warm weather states. States like Florida and Texas have a wide variety and large population of venomous snakes. Bites from venomous snakes are extremely rare in the states near the Canada–US border. Maine, for example, has only one species ; it is rarely seen, and then only in the southern part of the state, but the species is likely extirpated in Maine, with the last sighting in 1901.

21st century

2010s

2000s

1990s

1980s

1970s

1960s

1950s

1940s

1930s

1920s

1910s

1900s

18th and 19th century