There are many species of snakes living in north Texas, and most of them are harmless. A few species are venomous, and even those tend to avoid contact with people if they can. However, north Texans are understandably concerned about safety when they encounter snakes. This guide is designed to help you identify whether a snake that you find might be one of the four basic kinds of venomous snakes of north Texas. By “north Texas,” we mean roughly the northeastern quarter of Texas, east of Palo Pinto and north of Hillsboro. This is a quick identification guide. For more information there are at least a couple of good sources to consult: "Venomous Snakes of Texas: A Field Guide", by Andrew Price, and "Texas Snakes: A Field Guide", by James Dixon and John Werler.