What’s the Biggest Snake in the United States?

The United States is home to a surprising variety of large snakes, from native species that have roamed the continent for millennia to invasive species that have established themselves in recent decades. Here is a look at the biggest snakes found in the US, both native and introduced.

Biggest Native Snake: The Eastern Indigo Snake

The Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) holds the title of the longest native snake in the United States. These impressive, non venomous snakes regularly reach 6 to 7 feet in length, with the largest recorded specimens exceeding 8.5 feet. They are found in the southeastern United States, primarily in Florida and Georgia.

Eastern indigo snakes are stunningly beautiful, with glossy, iridescent blue black scales that shimmer in the sunlight. They are also ecologically important as apex predators that eat other snakes (including venomous species like rattlesnakes), rodents, birds, and frogs. Unfortunately, they are listed as a threatened species due to habitat loss and are protected by federal law.

Other Large Native Snakes

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: The largest venomous snake in North America, Eastern Diamondbacks regularly reach 4 to 6 feet with exceptional individuals exceeding 7 feet. They are found throughout the southeastern US and are heavy bodied, powerful snakes.

Bullsnake/Gopher Snake: These non venomous constrictors commonly reach 5 to 6 feet, with some individuals exceeding 7 feet. They are widespread across the western and central United States and are often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to their similar coloring and defensive behaviors.

Eastern Rat Snake: Also called the black rat snake, this common species regularly reaches 4 to 6 feet, with some individuals growing to 7 feet. They are excellent climbers and are found throughout the eastern US.

Coachwhip: One of the fastest snakes in North America, coachwhips can reach 5 to 6 feet and are known for their speed and agility. They are found in the southern and western US.

The Invasive Giant: Burmese Pythons in Florida

While not native, Burmese pythons have become established in South Florida, particularly in and around the Everglades. These massive snakes, which were released or escaped from the pet trade starting in the 1980s and 1990s, are now the largest snakes found anywhere in the United States.

Burmese pythons in Florida regularly reach 12 to 16 feet, with some individuals exceeding 18 feet. The largest Burmese python captured in Florida measured over 18.5 feet and weighed nearly 200 pounds. Their population in the Everglades is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, and they have caused devastating declines in native mammal populations.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission runs annual python removal programs to try to control their numbers. Professional python hunters patrol the Everglades year round, and the annual Florida Python Challenge invites the public to participate in removal efforts.

Other Invasive Large Snakes

Besides Burmese pythons, a small number of other large invasive snake species have been found in Florida, including African rock pythons, boa constrictors, and reticulated pythons. However, only Burmese pythons have established a confirmed breeding population. For more on large python species, see our articles on how long Burmese pythons get and how long reticulated pythons get.