Denton County is suburban in character, but suburban does not mean tame. The county's proximity to two major lakes, its creek drainages, its greenbelts, and its rapidly expanding northern edge where development meets open land means that wildlife encounters are a regular part of daily life for many residents. 

Knowing which animals pose real risks, how to reduce those risks, and what to do when an encounter occurs is practical knowledge every county resident should have.

Venomous Snakes

North Texas has five venomous snake species, and Denton County is home to most or all of them depending on habitat. The single most important rule: leave all snakes alone. 

A snake left alone and allowed to move away poses essentially no threat. The overwhelming majority of venomous snake bites in Texas occur when a person attempts to handle, kill, or closely approach a snake.

Venomous Snake Species in Denton County

• Copperhead: Most commonly encountered venomous snake in the county. Patterned with hourglass-shaped copper and brown bands. Found in wooded areas, brush piles, rocky outcroppings, and landscaping. Active primarily at night during summer.

• Western Diamondback Rattlesnake: The largest venomous snake in the county. Distinguished by the rattle at the end of the tail. Found in open grassland, rocky areas, and brushy terrain.

• Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin: Semi-aquatic venomous snake found near water sources including Lake Lewisville, creek banks, drainage channels, and retention ponds.

• Texas Coral Snake: Smaller, brightly colored with red, yellow, and black banding. Found in wooded and brushy areas but rarely encountered.

If Someone Is Bitten

• Call 911 immediately or have someone drive the patient to an emergency room — do not wait for symptoms

• The patient should remain as calm and still as possible to slow venom spread

• Do NOT apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or attempt to suck out venom

• Do NOT attempt to catch or kill the snake

• Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing from the bitten limb before swelling begins

Coyotes

Coyotes are present throughout Denton County including fully suburban and urban neighborhoods. They are commonly sighted at dawn and dusk but can be active at any hour. 

Problems arise almost exclusively when coyotes are fed and lose their natural wariness of humans.

• Never feed coyotes, whether intentionally or by leaving pet food or accessible garbage outside

• Keep small dogs and cats indoors or directly supervised outdoors, particularly at dawn, dusk, and nighttime

• If a coyote approaches you, stand tall, make yourself look large, and make loud noise — this is called hazing

• Do not run from a coyote — running triggers a chase response

• Secure garbage cans with bungee cords or locking lids

Fire Ants

Red Imported Fire Ants have colonized virtually every outdoor area in the county. They build mounds in lawns, landscaping, fields, parks, and any area of disturbed soil. 

They attack in groups when their mound is disturbed. For people with severe allergies, a mass stinging event can trigger anaphylaxis — a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

• Teach children to recognize fire ant mounds and never step on or disturb them

• Wear closed-toe shoes and socks when walking in grass, especially children

• If stung, move away from the mound immediately and brush ants off your skin

• If anyone shows signs of systemic allergic reaction after fire ant stings — hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling — call 911 immediately

Feral Hogs

Feral hogs are present in the rural and semi-rural areas of Denton County, particularly in the northern parts where development transitions to open land. 

Most feral hogs will flee from humans when encountered in the open. The exception is a sow with piglets or a cornered animal. A frightened or cornered feral hog is unpredictable and capable of causing serious injury with its tusks.

• Do not approach feral hogs or attempt to feed them

• Keep dogs on leash in areas where feral hogs are known to be present

• Do not handle feral hog carcasses with bare hands — they carry brucellosis and other zoonotic diseases

Ticks and Tick-Borne Disease

Several tick species capable of transmitting serious diseases are present in the county, including the Lone Star tick, the Black-legged (deer) tick, and the American dog tick. 

Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Alpha-gal syndrome — which triggers an allergic reaction to red meat — are among the conditions transmitted by tick bites in North Texas.

• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin before spending time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas

• Perform a full-body tick check on yourself, children, and pets after any outdoor activity in vegetated areas

• Remove an attached tick promptly using fine-tipped tweezers — grasp close to the skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure

• If you develop unexplained allergic reactions hours after eating red meat, discuss tick exposure history with a physician — this may be Alpha-gal syndrome

Who to Call for Wildlife Issues

• Denton County Animal Services: Stray domestic animals, injured wildlife, nuisance wildlife in neighborhoods. dentoncounty.gov

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Nuisance alligators, feral hog issues, injured protected wildlife. tpwd.texas.gov or 1-800-792-1112

• For snake removal from inside a home: Many pest control companies offer snake removal services

Frequently Asked Questions

What venomous snakes are most common in Denton County?

The Copperhead is by far the most commonly encountered venomous snake in the county — found in wooded areas, brush piles, and landscaping, most active at night during summer. 

The Cottonmouth is the second most commonly encountered and is associated with water sources.

Are there alligators in Lake Lewisville?

Yes. American Alligators have been documented in Lake Lewisville. Sightings are infrequent but they do occur, particularly in warmer months. Keep pets away from lake banks and report any alligator approaching populated areas to Texas Parks and Wildlife.