This May Be the Most Snake-infested National Park in the U.S., According to Experts

"The part of the U.S. where we probably have the most venomous snake species is the southwest, particularly the desert. And while there's no hard and fast data about which national park has the most snakes, Maerz said he would think someplace like Big Bend National Park would probably be the snakiest national park in North America."

"As Maerz explained, in the Texas park, you're likely to find close to half of all the snake species we know of in the U.S., including the western diamondback, Trans-Pecos copperhead, and regal ringneck."

"Venomous snakes are found in nearly all 50 states, and while comprehensive data on snake populations within specific national parks is limited, certain parks are likely to have higher snake diversity due to climate and terrain."

Snakes possess remarkable sensory abilities including tongue-based smell detection, thermal vision in some species, vibration sensing for hearing, and the capacity to swallow prey whole. Despite these characteristics, encountering snakes in national parks should not cause alarm. However, those with ophidiophobia should be aware that certain parks harbor abundant reptile populations. The southwestern United States, particularly desert regions, contains the highest concentration of venomous snake species. Big Bend National Park in Texas is considered the snakiest national park in North America, hosting close to half of all known U.S. snake species, including western diamondback, Trans-Pecos copperhead, and regal ringneck snakes. Other parks with significant snake diversity include Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Saguaro, and Congaree.

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