8 Snake Infested North Dakota Waters

North Dakota is home to 8 species of snakes. Thankfully, only one of them is venomous.

In case you weren't paying attention back in science class, here is a refresher on the snakes that call North Dakota home.

Most people in North Dakota have probably only encountered one or two of these species of snakes before. Most of these run-ins are with garter or bull snakes. Both of these species are nonvenomous, although you don't want to be bitten by a bull snake, as it could be very painful.

Speaking of bull snakes, their range has really expanded east of the Missouri River.

My neighbor in our development south of Lincoln last spring had a 6-foot bull snake slithering up his driveway. He decided to catch it, and he released it in some nearby brush. I also witnessed a rather large bull snake that had been run over on 52nd Street just south of Lincoln last year.

Bull snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes. Because of this, they are often killed.

Experts warn that you shouldn't do this because bull snakes are the natural enemies of rattlesnakes and will often drive them out of areas.

Rattlesnakes have also expanded their traditional range to some areas east of the Missouri River, including Burleigh and Emmons counties, where numerous sightings and encounters are reported each year.

(SEE ALSO: Chilling rattlesnake encounters east of the Missouri River)

Now, let's talk North Dakota's snake-infested waters.

What could be scarier? You are enjoying a summertime dip in your favorite watering hole, and the next thing you know, you are eye-to-eye with a rattlesnake swimming in your direction. Temperatures are on the rise, and no doubt snake encounters will become more and more likely in North Dakota. The Missouri River is now open, and the lakes should open in April. Get ready for the onslaught of slithery creatures.

These are the 8 waters in North Dakota where rattlesnake encounters are most often.