7 places in Alabama where rattlesnakes are most likely to be found

A rattlesnake sighting can turn an ordinary hike into a memorable story. But the snakes aren’t showing up by chance.

World Atlas recently identified seven rattlesnake-infested locations in Alabama where these reptiles are known to live, and each offers a mix of habitat features they seek for shelter, hunting and basking.

What kind of habitats do rattlesnakes prefer in Alabama?

Rattlesnakes don’t really “infest” places so much as they move into landscapes that already work for them: quietly, predictably and usually out of sight.

In Alabama, that often means a familiar set of ingredients such as patches of forest that offer cover, sunny openings for warming up and nearby water that keeps prey species active. 

Add in leaf litter, fallen logs, sandy soils, rocky edges or tangled undergrowth and you’ve got a system that supports both snakes and the small animals they feed on. The result is a kind of shared space of trail networks, river corridors, pine stands and canyon edges where people and rattlesnakes are simply using the same terrain for very different reasons.

How many rattlesnake species are in Alabama?

According to Outdoor Alabama, three types of rattlesnakes can be found in the Yellowhammer State:

• Timber Rattlesnake
• Pigmy Rattlesnake
• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Each species differs in size and prevalence. The Eastern diamondback is the largest, reaching up to 7 feet, though most adults are 4 to 5 feet long, and is now uncommon and possibly threatened in the state. The pygmy rattlesnake is much smaller, at 15 to 24 inches, and includes three subspecies: the Carolina, dusky and western pygmy. The timber rattlesnake is the most common species in the state and ranges from 36 to 60 inches in length.

World Atlas’ 7 rattlesnake-infested areas in Alabama

• Gulf State Park
• Conecuh National Forest
• Little River Canyon National Preserve
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Russell Cave National Monument
• Cahaba River Park
• Oak Mountain State Park

What to do if you see a snake

First rule: don’t panic.

Give snakes several feet of space and back away slowly. Never try to handle, capture or kill them — many bites happen when people try to intervene.

Even a snake that appears dead can still bite reflexively, so always leave it alone to avoid accidental bites.

What to do if you’re bitten by a snake

Snake bites are rare, but they do happen. If it does, your response matters.

Act quickly, but stay as calm as possible:

• Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room immediately.
• Keep the bitten area still and positioned at or slightly below heart level to slow the spread of venom.
• Remove tight clothing or jewelry near the bite before swelling starts.
• Try to remember the snake’s appearance, but don’t go back looking for it.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.