The head is shaped like a spade, and the eyes have vertical, cat-like pupils. Copperbelly Water Snake Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta. They can be found in eastern and southern Iowa especially in wooded areas untouched by man. Status PROTECTED in the following counties: Allamakee, Clayton, Dubuque, Jackson, Winneshiek, Fayette, Delaware, Jones, Henry, Des Moines, Lee, Van Buren, Appanoose, and Madison, except within 50 yards of houses currently occupied by people. He pressed on the brakes of his patrol car, stepped out and discovered a timber rattlesnake. Bullsnake Pituophis catenifer sayi. Brown Snake Storeria dekayi.
Black Rat Snake Pantherophis obsoletus. The most common type of venomous snake in Iowa is the Timber Rattlesnake. Diamondback Water Snake Nerodia rhombifer. They are also the largest and most dangerous.
Eastern Hognose Snake Heterodon platirhinos. Common Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis. Timber Rattlesnakes usually have a rusty brown stripe running down the back, and have a black tail. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Sistrurus … Timber Rattlesnakes may be a brown, tan, gold, or gray, with black bands or chevrons down the length of the body. A timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, rattle detail, from Jackson County, Iowa. Similar Species: Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes are similar in appearance, but are only found in Western Iowa. Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) - Endangered. Snakes of Iowa. Another venomous snake that can be found in Iowa is the Massasauga. They are primarily found only in the marshes of Iowa. There is usually a rusty brown stripe running down the center of the back, and the tails is usually black with a velvet like appearance and a light colored rattle on the end. "I was just driving through there and there it was," Barnes said. VENOMOUS.